Apple Launches iPad and iBookStore

The much awaited January 27 event finally arrived and as much anticipated, Steve Jobs took the state to demonstrate Apple’s latest device - The iPad. It is a tablet computer which can be simply described as visually being a ‘large iPod Touch’. Apple iPad will be initially available for sale only in the USA, and is expected to be available in the rest of the world in the early summer.

The iPad will be available as a Wi-Fi and a 3G/WI-Fi model, with a 16GB, 32GB or 64GB Flash storage version for each. Apart from that, the device is powered by a new 1Ghz Apple A4 processor and is loaded with Wi-Fi 802.11n and v2.1 Bluetooth, plus the usual Apple software including iTunes and the App Store, Mail, Calendar and Safari.

The event also marked the launch of Apple iBookStore where you can buy eBooks for use with the iPad. Moreover, the current iPhone app developers will be creating new apps especially for the iPad, in order to take advantage of the new screen size.

Apple iPad: Features

- The Apple iPad weighs 1.5 pounds and measures 7.47 inches in width by 9.56 inches in length by 0.5 inch in thickness.

- The screen used in the iPad is a glass-covered, oleophobic, LED-backlit, 9.7-inch capacitive touch screen. It uses IPS (in-plane switching) technology for above-average viewing angles. The maximum screen resolution is 1,024x768 pixels.

- Video output is available using a dock adapter; however, HDMI is not supported, and output resolution is constrained to 480p. Below the screen you will find a home button that looks and functions exactly like the button found on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

- The iPad is wrapped around the backs and sides with Matte aluminum, tightening a bit around the edges. However, unlike the glossy plastic of the iPhone or the polished chrome of the iPod, the iPad is least expected to show fingerprints and wear.

- If you are an iPhone owner, you will find the buttons, switches, and ports around the edges of the iPad very familiar. Besides a 30-pin dock connector at the bottom, there is a small integrated speaker; a volume rocker button and mute switch sit on the right side; along with a screen lock, a headphone jack, and a pinhole microphone sit up top.

- The Apple iPad comes with a 1GHz A4 processor (Apple brand) under the hood. It comes along with 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 and a compass.

- Battery life is rated at 10 hours, and the iPad has three storage capacities available -16GB ($499), 32GB ($599), and 64GB ($699).

- Apple iPads with 3G wireless data support (microSIM) is due to be released in May with the same capacity range. However, it will cost $130 extra for each respective model (i.e., $629, $729, and $829). Again if you go the 3G route, you have to pay for an additional data plan (currently provided by AT&T with no contract), setting you back $14.99 a month for 250MB of data, or $29 for "unlimited" usage.

Apple iPad: Limitations

In the first instance, as you go through the data plans they seem to be pretty reasonable; however, they are attached to the iPad and cannot be shared with your phone or other Internet-capable devices.

Apart from that, despite its lovely design, beefier core apps, and new e-book features and store, the iPad is hampered by a well-documented string of missing features like a camera, 16:9 support, Flash support, multitasking, SD card slot, HDMI or high-resolution video output support, USB ports, GPS, to mention a few. Not to mentions its exclusivity to the AT&T network.

Apple iPad: Pricing

The pricing scheme is overly complex, and while I'm not sure it's genuinely overpriced, it's nevertheless expensive, and you can't imagine the price going much lower without crashing into the 64GB iPod Touch and making the iPad look a lot like a sucker's buy.

The Apple iPad can be concluded as a product ahead of its time. You cannot term it as a failure; at the same time, it is something in the like of a concept product - a proof of concept. If you have decided on buying yourself an Apple iPad, you have to own it along with its inevitable first-generation bugs, fulfillment problems, and buyer's remorse over added features and price drops – altogether a heartbreak waiting to ensue

eBay Made $400 Million This Year From Its Free iPhone App

According to eBay CEO John Donahoe, shoppers have already spent about $400 million on the popular commerce site using the company’s free iPhone application.

The number pales in comparison with eBay’s total sales figure ($59.7 billion last year), but it’s fairly significant considering the fact that the iPhone has a relatively small market share – about 15% of the smartphone segment – and mobile payment transactions are still new to many. Who would have predicted around half a billion dollar in sales a year would be recorded through the eBay iPhone app when it debuted on the App Store last year?

According to this report by the Financial Times, some wealthy people have used the mobile app to buy a Lamborghini, a Bentley and a $150,000 boat. And if Mobile Marketer heard Donahoe right when he talked numbers at a summit in Las Vegas, the Lamborghini went for $350,000. Talk about being at ease with making purchases from mobile devices.

Most likely, these are the high-profile exceptions to the rule and most people use the app to buy books, clothing and electronics much like regular eBay shoppers do. In total, approximately 4.6 million iPhone owners have downloaded and installed the app to date.

Apple Drops VoIP-over-3G Restrictions on the iPhone

Apple has some more good news to share with you post the iPad launch. In a recent company announcement, Apple has revealed that it has done away with the restrictions that earlier prevented VoIP iPhone applications from working over 3G. iPhone enthusiasts are elated as this will unleash newer opportunities for VoIP applications, which until now have only worked over Wi-Fi.

This was one of the much awaited news from Apple since October 2009, since AT&T announced that it would allow VoIP apps over 3G.Quite a few popular VoIP application developers like the iCall and Fring have already announced their support for VoIP. This is in fact a priority as allowing VoIP over 3G will set the stage for increased innovation in the VoIP arena, and also more experimentation with video chatting.

The Edge VoIP can Give to the iPhone

The reaction of the VoIP developers is understandable considering the fact that an update to the iPhone SDK will finally allows application developers to build this capability into their programs. Effectively, this will allow iPhone users like you to drop their unlimited voice plans and opt for a combination of data and voice for calls. Most users are elated as they can now find a way to save big on their monthly cell phone bill using VoIP calling.

iCall - the first app to use this capability (now available in the iPhone’s App Store) reveals that with this new announcement with the iPhone, it will not only let you make VoIP calls, but also offer a way to switch cellular calls to VoIP. The free app allows you set free five-minute telephone calls to the United States and Canada. For $10 per month, users can get unlimited calling to those countries and pay-as-you-go international rates.

VoIP calls over 3G would use no voice minutes, only data. So, when you sign up for the monthly plan, users will get a new phone number in the area code of their choice. However, they might still show their existing number on caller ID.

Sharing this sentiment, web communication aggregator Fring reveals that users can now video chat over 3G as well. As experts believe, video chatting is going to become more and more significant in mobile devices over the next few years and Apple for sure will be taking that into account by dropping 3G restrictions.

Limitation: The only limitation is that since VoIP services are not allowed to use the iPhone’s dialer and calling system, incoming VoIP calls appear as push notifications (as if you got a text message), rather than a full-blown ring. With iCall however, you can also switch incoming voice calls over to VoIP after you’ve answered the phone. These methods will certainly allow people to cut down on voice minutes in exchange for a cheap VoIP plan

Adobe Gets Aggressive With iPhone Flash Failure Message

Adobe's Flash supports a large portion of the internet's rich content. And it will soon be coming to almost all smart phones, opening a world of internet possibilities. All the smart phones, that is, except one of the most popular smart phones on the market -- Apple's iPhone.

Apple remains cold and aloof about the topic of Flash. While the iPhone could easily support hardware-accelerated Flash, CEO Steve Jobs has stated in interviews that Flash is irrelevant and not something that iPhone customers have demanded. He insists the iPhone is the perfect internet phone -- even if it can't run Flash.

Adobe seems to be hoping to push Apple's customers to demand the feature with a new humorously passive aggressive browser failure message.

On the iPhone customers trying to use Flash now get a message stating:

Apple restricts the use of technologies required by products like Flash Player. Until Apple eliminates these restrictions, Adobe cannot provide Flash Player for the iPhone or iPod Touch.

Before the message merely read:

To view this content upgrade your browser and flash plug-in.

Will the new message inspire users to complain to Apple, or will it merely annoy iPhone users, making Adobe look bad? It should be interesting to see how Apple's customers react to the new, more pointed error message.

Apple Drops VoIP-over-3G Restrictions on the iPhone

Apple has some more good news to share with you post the iPad launch. In a recent company announcement, Apple has revealed that it has done away with the restrictions that earlier prevented VoIP iPhone applications from working over 3G. iPhone enthusiasts are elated as this will unleash newer opportunities for VoIP applications, which until now have only worked over Wi-Fi.

This was one of the much awaited news from Apple since October 2009, since AT&T announced that it would allow VoIP apps over 3G.Quite a few popular VoIP application developers like the iCall and Fring have already announced their support for VoIP. This is in fact a priority as allowing VoIP over 3G will set the stage for increased innovation in the VoIP arena, and also more experimentation with video chatting.

The Edge VoIP can Give to the iPhone

The reaction of the VoIP developers is understandable considering the fact that an update to the iPhone SDK will finally allows application developers to build this capability into their programs. Effectively, this will allow iPhone users like you to drop their unlimited voice plans and opt for a combination of data and voice for calls. Most users are elated as they can now find a way to save big on their monthly cell phone bill using VoIP calling.

iCall - the first app to use this capability (now available in the iPhone’s App Store) reveals that with this new announcement with the iPhone, it will not only let you make VoIP calls, but also offer a way to switch cellular calls to VoIP. The free app allows you set free five-minute telephone calls to the United States and Canada. For $10 per month, users can get unlimited calling to those countries and pay-as-you-go international rates.

VoIP calls over 3G would use no voice minutes, only data. So, when you sign up for the monthly plan, users will get a new phone number in the area code of their choice. However, they might still show their existing number on caller ID.

Sharing this sentiment, web communication aggregator Fring reveals that users can now video chat over 3G as well. As experts believe, video chatting is going to become more and more significant in mobile devices over the next few years and Apple for sure will be taking that into account by dropping 3G restrictions.

Limitation: The only limitation is that since VoIP services are not allowed to use the iPhone’s dialer and calling system, incoming VoIP calls appear as push notifications (as if you got a text message), rather than a full-blown ring. With iCall however, you can also switch incoming voice calls over to VoIP after you’ve answered the phone. These methods will certainly allow people to cut down on voice minutes in exchange for a cheap VoIP plan

Streaming NBA Games Available For iPhone, Android Phones

The National Basketball Association is now offering mobile phone owners the ability to watch entire live games for $40 per year.

Just a few games into the 2009-2010 NBA season, this is the first time entire games are available for streaming -- only game highlights were previously available through an official service.

There are now three methods to watch complete games in the NBA: via TV, PC, or now using a mobile phone. Initial estimates report 59M mobile phone owners have the ability to watch streaming NBA games using their mobile phones.

The coverage is available through AT&T and T-Mobile, with Verizon Wireless beginning service on November 6. Apple iPhone and Google Android phone owners have access to the streaming feature now, but RIM BlackBerry owners are expected to have streaming NBA coverage at some point in the near future.

Mobile subscribers can watch 40 live games each week while accessing game statistics and game replays. In addition, it's possible to record 30-second video clips that can be watched up to 48 hours after the game ends.

Coming Soon: Skype iPhone App for 3G

Finally the much in-demand version of Skype for iPhone which supports 3G calling is soon to be released. In a latest blog post, the company has divulged that this update has been done of the SDK (Software Development Kit) which Apple provides to developers like Skype for the iPad.

With the release of the iPhone OS 3.2 for the iPad, restrictions on calling over a 3G network have been removed, paving the way for Skype to integrate the much requested feature into their app. This will allow iPhone users to now make calls in wideband audio, giving you greater clarity and fidelity – because that’s what is expected from Skype.

Here is a video announcing Skype's new update:

What took so long to introduce Skype calling over 3G…..

Earlier, 3G calling over VoIP has been banned because of an agreement between AT&T and Apple, with AT&T’s network unable to support the heavy data traffic. Then, iPhone users have only been able to make VoIP calls over WiFi. However, it will no longer be the case now.

Further, the Skype team optimistically reveals that they might soon come up with Skype for iPad, as they have already started reviewing the device and its specs.

Video-chat facility for Skype on iPhone – next in line?

Video-chat facility for Skype on iPhone is another expected feature amongst iPhone users. Peter Parkes, the social media communications lead at Skype, has until now not given any specific on any time-line or assurances regarding video chat.

However, he has hinted that Skype will look to develop video-capable apps wherever devices can support video calls. Parkes stressed on the fact that the main focus for Skype will be on a great user experience.

Make Cheap iPhone Skype Calls Over the 3G Network

Want to use Skype to make calls when you’re out of WiFi hotspots? Imagine if you could use Skype ANYTIME, ANYWHERE by using your Rogers/Fido data plan! You can do so by following the steps below…

1. Jailbreak your iPhone (follow our guide here). If you’re on an iPhone 3GS, I’d highly suggest purchasing 3G Unrestrictor to allow Skype to work over 3G.

If you’re using an iPhone 3G, just install VoIPOver3G via Cydia, and it will automatically hack Skype to work over 3G.

2. Turn off WiFi to test the 3G capability. Launch Skype, login. Now, go try to make a call and voila! Skype over the Rogers/Fido 3G network on your iPhone! The sound quality is amazing! Listen for yourself with the Skype Test Call.

3. Now with calling over 3G, you can subscribe to Skype and pay $3 for unlimited calling to Canada/USA! AND get Caller ID for Skype!

Enjoy making calls over 3G. Don’t worry, it won’t use up your 6GB data plan unless you’re talking for 24 hours straight non-stop. Skype has been one of my favourite apps now because of this little hack. Let me know how this works for you!

Jailbroken iPhones Not Compatible to iPhone 3.1.3 OS Update

Seems it’s the season for iPhone updates! It has been quite a while since the iPhone OS has been updated and following closely the release of the iPad and announcements of VoIP for 3G and Skype update comes the news of the iPhone OS newest version, the iPhone OS 3.1.3.

The iPhone 3.1.3 OS is available for all iPhone versions and is also compatible with all iPod Touch versions. Although there isn’t much concrete content to go with this new update, Apple assures that it will definitely look into fixing the occasional bugs and errors that accompanies every single update – and might come along with iPhone 3.1.3 OS too.

Apple also stated that the updated iPhone 3.1.3 OS will offer enhanced accuracy for battery level reports on the iPhone 3GS and repair problems that some Third Party Apps have had launching. It also fixes a problem that has been going on with the iPhone not working properly with the Japanese Kana keyboard

Apple Removes 1000+ iPhone Apps from App Store Following Ratings Scam

Has it ever happened to you that you are so impressed with an iPhone app after reading through its reviews only to find after purchasing it that your own experience with the app is not even close to what the reviewers said?

Folks at the iPhoneography blog have now unearthed an iPhone ratings scam that has wiped off close to 1% of the entire App Store.

The reviews and ratings scam comes to light after one of the readers of the iPhoneography blog revealed that a relatively less popular iPhone app, 'NightCam Pro' had nearly 44 reviews with 5 star ratings. What's more, each of these reviewers had posted all their reviews on iPhone apps released by just a single app developer - China based Molinker Inc. The issue which was brought to the notice of Phil Schiller from Apple resulted in an immediate removal of all the 1011 iPhone apps developed by the company from the App Store.

While the removal of 1000+ apps should come as a bolt out of the blue, not many should find the scam itself surprising. Most iPhone users would have come across reviews that appear shady at least once in a while. How does this actually happen? In this particular case, it is possible that the app developer made use of the 50 promo codes that Apple offers to the developers for every approved app to create these ghost reviewers. Ironically, one of Molinker's apps, ColorMagic which had nearly 203 fake reviews was till recently on the iPhone apps front page as an App Store 'Staff Favorite'.

Rumor: Price Slash for Apple iPad inevitable?

One of the most prominent grievances most Apple enthusiasts have with the iPad is its exorbitant pricing. However, here is good news for you all!

Analysts believe that Apple might soon cut down price of its much-hyped tablet. This has been concluded on the basis of Apple’s earlier trend of dropping the price of iPhone, if sales figures do not meet Apple's expectations.

Although analysts expect that Apple will be able to sell between one million and five million iPads in its first year, they have also engaged in making pricing predictions at the same time. Now, the big question is that will this deliberate debate analyzing a price cut deter the opening demand for the pricey tablet computer

UPDATE: Dev Team Releases Pwnage Tool 3.1.5 for iPhone OS 3.1.3

If you own a jailbroken phone and have been caught in a dilemma for the last few days since the iPhone OS 3.1.3 update has been released; here’s good news for you all.

Keeping alive the spirit of the cat-and-mouse game between the iPhone Dev Team and Apple Inc. the dev team confirms in a blog post about the jailbreaking being made possible for iPhone OS 3.1.3.

The iphone dev team has stated that iPhone OS 3.1.3 IPSWs can be jailbroken by the group’s redsn0w jailbreak tool. Supported devices presently include the iPhone 2G (first-generation iPhones), iPhone 3G, and iPod touch 2G (second-generation iPod touch).

Free iPhone Game Everyday Till Christmas World

Every day from december 1th until december 22th there will be one iPhone game free

for 24 hours worldwide. December 23th and 24th 2010 there will be no free games but

you will find other great surprises here. Stay tuned

Developer’s Indicate Thumbs-up for Apple iPad

The Apple iPad finally seems to be showing its shine. Thanks to Apple developer’s interest in developing mobile apps with the introduction of the iPad in January; it has almost become tri-fold.

According to Flurry Analytics, more than 1,600 new apps were initiated post-iPad launch in comparison with less than 600 in December 2009. It is indeed heartening to learn about the growing interest of developers towards iPad and related applications who are viewing the iPad as an opportunity.

This news comes in sharp contrast to earlier reports when the iPad was criticized for its limitations like absence of a camera and was also cited as too costly for its class. However, now more positive reviews have been noted about iPad and its prospects from people who have used it, and also from the developers who are all ready to cash in on the opportunity.

BBC iPhone App for News and Sports Announced!

The BIG news trickling out of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona is that BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is launching a trio of apps: an iPlayer app, BBC News iPhone app and a Sports results app. The announcement was made during a keynote speech by the BBC internet head Erik Huggers, who announced that BBC will offer iPhone applications for its news and sport content from April this year.

This is a free application and has been widely appreciated by iPhone users and analysts. BBC has also chalk out a clear vision for its iPhone app - web equals mobile; mobile equals web.

BBC iPhone App: What to expect

- The BBC News iPhone app will use carousels for categories of news that will include - Top Stories, World, Business, etc,

- It will also come accompanied with a breaking news ticker at the top, along with options and a button to stream BBC News live.

- News posts are very similar to the desktop version; the only difference is that here, videos should run via the BBC News iPhone app.

- You can now access more categories in a horizontal row with the landscape mode; besides leads appearing as you move across the headline/image tiles.

- BBC has also revealed that it is also considering releasing apps later this year for its popular iPlayer service. The on-demand video and audio player serves up 20 million requests for TV and radio programmes every week.

- The iPhone app will combine content from the BBC Sport website and 5 Live radio, including live commentary and scores, and will allow fans to watch sports matches live on their phone. There are also plans to update the apps later in the year to include more content, including Formula 1.

- A different version of the apps is also in the offing for international audiences, supported by advertising.

BBC News iPhone app’s ambitious plans

Erik Huggers also announced future plans for BBC News iPhone app at the MWC. He revealed that the iPhone is the first smartphone for BBC to take their plunge into the mobile phone market. It will soon be followed by version for the BlackBerry, Google Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile, Flash, Palm, Samsung, etc.

The BBC news app, to be released in April, will offer content from the BBC News website. This will include - correspondent blogs, written stories, besides audio and video. The app will also encourage a lot of user involvement - users will also be able to send comments and pictures directly to the BBC newsroom. Moreover, there are plans of the sports app to be released during the Football World Cup, which starts in June, and will initially focus on football.

BBC News iPhone app might create tension in the Mobile world

While the new BBC News iPhone app has be offered as a free app (as Sky and the Daily Telegraph), some other iPhone apps in this category however are paid such as The Guardian (£2.39). Analysts are apprehensive that the apps might add to tension between publishers of paid-for content and those dependent on other revenue.

Although. BBC’s strategy to foray into a highly saturated and competitive news and sports app market is understandable; it definitely can destabilize the market to a certain extent. Many have not taken BBC’s free app service lightly – mainly those who are looking out to market news content. However, BBC maintains that it is simply providing users with digital content they have already paid for – just only in a way which suits them.

Free iPhone Calls, Free iPhone SMS: Google Voice now on the iPhone Calls

Google has released an entirely Web-based version of its service that works on the iPhone as well as Palm’s Pre and Pixi handsets.

Apple may still officially be “pondering” whether it should approve Google’s Google Voice app for iPhone, but there’s finally good news: Google has released an entirely Web-based version of the service (at m .google.com/voice). It works on the iPhone as well as Palm’s Pre and Pixi handsets, and brings a large chunk of the functionality of the native Voice apps for Android and BlackBerry to your phone’s browser.

This new version, like mobile Gmail, is among the most app-like browser services I’ve ever seen, period, letting you dial from your Google contacts list or a keypad, read and listen to messages, send text messages, and configure the app right within mobile Safari. When you make calls using it, the person who answers sees your Google Voice number, not the “real” one associated with your phone: Google makes an outgoing call from the iPhone, then reroutes it over a line of its own.

There’s only so far that a Web-based telephony app can go. On Android and BlackBerry, Google Voice can insert itself as your default phone interface, and it gets access to the contacts stored on your phone. On the iPhone, it stays a secondary interface and can’t see your local contacts. (You can, however, use Google Sync to sync your phone’s contacts with your Google Account.) When you make an outgoing call, your iPhone confirms you want to do so and shows Google’s routing number rather than the one you’re really calling–kind of confusing. And while the interface for wrangling messages is a vast improvement on the rudimentary one in the old Web-based Google Voice, it still send you out of Safari and into QuickTime when you want to listen to a message.

Apple iPhone, iPad Triggering Memory Shortage

The latest buzz to have hit the iPhone world is about the probability of iPhone causing memory supply crunch in 2010. This assumption has been fuelled courtesy Apple's iPhone plans this year – where the average iPhone to carry over 35GB of storage after capacity upgrades across the line, or more than the 32GB maximum available today.

Analysts at iSuppli have indicted Apple of creating an industry-wide shortage of NAND flash memory; which is used to store music, video and apps on its Iphone and Ipod. On the other hand Apple would like to increase the iPhone’s storage capacity to 64GB.

The study further reiterates that collectively with an approximate growth of nearly 32 percent in iPhone shipments that is an estimated 33 million, Apple's sheer dominance of NAND flash memory could lead to a major crunch in the rest of 2010

Google Acquires reMail iPhone App, Removed from App Store

Apple Inc. did not let Goodle Voice happen for the App Store. In a latest development, Google acquired reMail from the AppStore on February 17, 2010 and removed it from the iTunes Store. As anticipated, the reMail – considered to be one of the best apps for the iPhone; could soon make its way to Android.

The reMail website already reads "Copyright 2009 Google"; however, not all of the links to the ‘presently unoccupied’ spot on the iTunes Store have been removed. As of now, reMail is active and continues to work for iPhone users who had purchased the application before its removal, was meant to be an alternative to the iPhone's built-in mail client

Apple ‘Finally’ Launches iPhone SDK 3.2 Beta 3

Apple released an update for the iPhone SDK for the iPad - iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 3 in the midst of much adulation; however retracted the same quickly without explanation. The short-lived update followed the second iPhone OS and SDK 3.2 beta for the Apple iPad, launched several weeks ago.

Latest reports indicate that the version of the iPhone Software Development kit (SDK), including iPad tools which was temporarily pulled back for unknown reasons, has once again been made available on the development site. However, this incident has raised quite a few eyebrows as to what led to this flip-flop from the otherwise ‘strategically accurate’ Apple Inc

Plants vs. Zombies iPhone App Sales Sets App Store Record

Another record set at the App Store as PopCap Games announced Plants vs. Zombies for the iPhone has sold over 300,000 copies and made $1 Million in sales in just 9 days. Amazing!! Isn’t it? Analyst believe that although the title ‘Plants vs. Zombies’ was slated to be a highly anticipated title, the sales report and the revenue it has generated in less than a fortnight is phenomenal.

This sales figure from Plants vs. Zombies has also set new standards for the App Store. According to a statement made by PopCap Games, customer feedback on the iPhone adaptation of Plants vs. Zombies has been inspiring. Early customer feedback and critical analysis of the app has referred to it as a great adaptation of the game – considering the fun element being kept intact on the smaller touch screen, in spite of it being originally a computer game

Cheaper, Technically Advanced Apple iPhone 4G – Coming Soon

Good news for all of you! The latest buzz is that the much-awaited Apple iPhone 4G is expected to cost significantly less than previous models. This assumption according to the analysts is based on the fact that since, 85% of the smartphone market is not willing to shell out the amount of money Apple would like to quote for their devices; a price drop is inevitable for the Apple iPhone 4G.

As Apple is slated to launch its next version of the iPhone in June, iPhone enthusiasts and industry analysts are equally optimistic of Apple offering its new device with a lower total cost of ownership and also new functionality - potentially including gesture-based technology. Along with the price drop rumor, others which are doing the rounds include specifications for the iPhone 4G consisting of WiFi N, a 5MP camera, an A4 chip clocked at 600MHz, perhaps faster, and AMOLED touchscreen from Samsung

Canadian firm sues 20 top tech firms for patent infringement

A Canadian company said Thursday that it has filed suit against Acer, Apple, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Sony, Toshiba and 14 other top technology firms, accusing them of patent infringement.

Ottawa-based WiLAN Inc., which describes itself as a technology innovation and licensing company, filed the suit on Wednesday against the 20 US and Asian companies in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

WiLAN accuses them of violating a patent its holds on Bluetooth technology, a wireless communications system that allows for hands-free calling among other uses.

The firms named in the lawsuit are Acer, Apple, Atheros, Belkin, Broadcom, D-Link, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Marvell Semiconductor, Motorola, Personal Communications Devices, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba and UTStarcom.

They were accused of making personal computers, mobile phones or other devices that allegedly infringe on a Bluetooth patent held by WiLAN since 1996.

WiLAN, which claims a portfolio of 800 patents and has filed a number of infringement lawsuits in the past against leading technology firms, is asking for unspecified damages.

NASA Releases Free iPhone Lunar Rover Application

It’s a pleasure to present before you news of an iPhone app release - Lunar Electric Rover (LER) Simulator, from NASA. Known for their futuristic approach, this new offering from NASA is a strategic attempt to reach out to the millions of iPhone users all over the world and make space and the moon accessible to people in general.

NASA Lunar Electric Rover (LER) Simulator helps you assimilate how it would be like to support the activities of a functioning Lunar Outpost. The game app released by NASA will also come packed with an exciting interactive gallery. Developed by the Analytical Mechanics Association at the NASA Langley Research Centre, in Hampton, Virginia, this app is available for FREE download through the App store or iTunes

iPad Arriving on April 3, Pre-Order on March 12, 2010

In a recent press release Apple Inc. announced the release of its ‘magical and revolutionary’ iPad in the U.S on Saturday, April 3, 2010. The April 3 release is however, only for Wi-Fi models; while the Wi-Fi + 3G models will be launched in late April.

And what is more exciting to the announcement is that beginning March 12, US customers can pre-order both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple’s online store (apple.com) or from any Apple retail store.

Apple also announced the availability of all iPad models in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K in late April. iPad users will be able to browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games, read e-books and much more.iPad with initiate the beginning of a new era

iPad will definitely mark the beginning of a new era where you can now connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, spontaneous and enjoyable way than ever before. The revolutionary product which weighs 1.5 pounds is just 0.5 inches thick and is thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. Moreover, it delivers battery life of up to 10 hours – although results may vary depending upon device settings, usage and other factors.

Apart from that, the iPad’s Multi-Touch™ interface gives a whole new dimension to web surfing, by making it more interactive and intimate than on a computer. You can not only read and send email on iPad’s large screen; but can also import photos from a Mac, PC or digital camera, organized them as albums and view or share them using iPad’s elegant slideshows. Book your iPad now and get ready to watch movies, TV shows and YouTube on your iPad.

Easy access to App Store for iPad Apps

You can now wirelessly browse, buy and download new apps from the App Store on iPad. Apart from the 12 innovative apps designed exclusively for iPad, you can also run almost all of the more than 150,000 apps on the App Store, including applications available for iPhone or iPod touch. Developers are busy developing exciting new apps for the iPad on popular demand that take advantage of its Multi-Touch interface, large screen and high-quality graphics.

Not to mention, the iTunes Store gives iPad users access to the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 12 million songs, over 55,000 TV episodes and over 8,500 films including over 2,500 in stunning high definition. Moreover, all the apps and content you download on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.

Pricing & Availability

- iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models in the US on April 3, 2010 for a retail price of $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB.

- The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB.

Will you buy your iPad now OR wait and watch? Share your views.

Posted: Seuli.B

FCC plans to move forward with broadband plan soon

The FCC needs that authority to push ahead with many parts of the broadband plan, which it released last month. Among them: a proposal to expand broadband by tapping the Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes telephone service in poor and rural areas.

The FCC laid out its 2010 "broadband action agenda" without indicating how it will proceed in light of the court ruling. But the agency says it will ensure it has the legal authority it needs for its sweeping plan to increase broadband usage and Internet speeds.

"Does the FCC still have a mission in the Internet area?" FCC General Counsel Austin Schlick wrote in a blog post following Tuesday's court decision. "Absolutely."

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled Tuesday that the FCC lacks authority to impose so-called "network neutrality" obligations. Those require broadband providers to give equal treatment to all traffic flowing over their lines. Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable company, had challenged the rules in court after the FCC ordered it to stop blocking its subscribers from using an online file-sharing service called BitTorrent.

Although the FCC could appeal the decision or ask Congress to give it the authority it needs, many public interest groups are instead calling on the agency to impose "common carrier" regulations on broadband providers. Those rules, which have traditionally applied to phone companies, prohibit carriers from discriminating against certain types of traffic, among other things.

But even as the agency contemplates its next move on that front, it made clear Thursday that the broadband plan remains a top priority. The FCC said it will focus on a number of major proposals in the plan this year. Those include:

- reforming the Universal Service Fund by phasing out subsidies for phone service and instead using the program to pay for broadband.

- freeing up more wireless spectrum to deliver mobile broadband services, with much of those airwaves potentially coming from television broadcasters.

- establishing a nationwide wireless network for public safety that will help firefighters, police officers and other emergency workers communicate.

- seeking ways to drive more competition in the market for network connections used by business customers, cellular towers and other big bandwidth users.

©2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

How to Make Money From a Free iPhone Appication Now

If you look in the app store you will find tons of free apps. Some may think that free apps are a waste of time but I assure you they can definitely lead to financial success with your other apps.

Use this price point when you are trying to:

- Build your app development portfolio.
If your just starting out in iPhone development, this would be a great way to showcase your skills and let others know that you are fully capable of developing quality iPhone applications.

- Release a trial version which could lead to paid version sales.
This can be extremely effective for cheap games, that have addictive properties. If you let people get a taste of your app and they enjoy it, it is very common for them to want more and be than happy to purchase the full paid version.

- Supporting another product.
If you sell a service and want to offer additional ways to use that product. Building a free iPhone app is a great way to increase customer usage.

- Generating a base for future sales conversion.
The more people use your apps, they more likely they are going to buy one in the future.

- Use it for advertising
This can be extremely lucrative if your app is downloaded enough. There are also a lot of services available now that makes advertising in your app easier than ever.

Free apps are definitely capable of generating income, you just need to know when to use them.

'Revolutionary' Note Taker App for iPhone Released

Have you ever wished about writing on the iPhone touchscreen with your finger when you need to jot down something quickly, instead of using the iPhone keyboard? Well, that’s not a myth anymore. VisiCalc creator Dan Bricklin, who also made your life easier with his invention of the spreadsheet has forayed into mobile development and released his first iPhone application - Note Taker.

Note Taker App allows you to write notes with your fingertip rather than using the iPhone keyboard. It’s more like using the tip of your finger on your touchscreen to jot down quick notes, just as using a pen on an index card.The full version of Note Taker is $1.99 in the iTunes Store and Note Taker Lite is free (with a four-page limit).


How it works

Note Taker application utilizes some ingenious interface mechanisms that make writing long sentences easier for you across the iPhone touchscreen. For instance, it doesn’t require swiping, and scrolls right while you jot. Apart from that it shrinks your words to a legible version for reading while you write. It has to be noted that Note Taker doesn't do text recognition; however, you can transcribe jotted notes using the keyboard.

This app is just the right one for all of you who like to sketch, mind-map, or list without fat-fingering small keys. Here you can write just the way you normally would on a notepad. However, many users with awful handwriting or those who are comfortable typing on the iPhone keyboard may not be comfortable using it. The full version of Note Taker is $1.99 in the iTunes Store and Note Taker Lite is free (with a four-page limit).

Dan Bricklin writes….

Dan Bricklin, the personal computing wizard who skillfully developed this new app, explains what motivated him to come up with Note Taker App even after being more than 30 years in the business. He confesses about working on learning a different medium and a different business environment over the last couple of months.

It all begun since mid-September, when he purchased a shiny new 24″ Apple iMac and an iPhone 3GS. Soon he signed up for the Apple iPhone Developer Program, bought a few books and started doing the tutorials. Soon he came up with the idea for an app – the Note Taker, which he personally felt he needed and built a prototype. Later, he started creating a full app that would prove to be useful for others too.

Dan submitted his completed Note Taker application for inclusion in the App Store a few days before Thanksgiving. And now, it has been approved and all set to storm the iPhone world. A word of caution though: Dan urges that once you are ready to try out the application, be prepared to work through the initial "Try It" mode. You can also view the working of the Note Taker app for iPhone in the screencast below:

Jobs: iPad Incompatible to Tether with iPhone

If you have been awaiting tethering option for your iPhone, as most of you are; Steve Jobs has got some news for you. In a recent response to an emailed question, Jobs revealed that Apple's iPad, scheduled for April 3, 2010 launch, probably won't support tethering either. Although, tethering for iPhone is much in demand, it comes as no surprise that it is still a much awaited situation for iPhone users.

Technically, the iPhone can share its mobile or WiFi connection with an attached desktop or laptop. The problem of course lies with AT&T - the only carrier for the iPhone in the United States markets, which doesn't yet support tethering. Much has been heard about AT&T’s promise to eventually bring this feature to iPhone. However, not much has transpired out of the promises as that yet remain a myth waiting to be turned into reality

Mobile games become a promising industry

Did you all realize that video games industry is progressing from a "macrosize" into "microsize", from console to handheld gaming. And now Iphone has taken the lead to be the next future and modern handheld platform. Iphone has all what it takes to kick some other handheld ass. But in this post i am not gonna talk about Iphone, because i always mentioned how i was mesmerised with this touchscreen cellular.

You all java game freaks might remember that in a past few years, java games became huge in mobile games market. They are small in size but has a large impact in mobile game progression history. It reminds me when i first met with Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, developed by Gameloft. I was shocked with this game. When i moved the character Sam Fisher, "WOW", it was my first word that came out from my mouth, i was suprissed to see how smooth Sam Fisher walks and runs. The backround is terrific. Gameplay, set the bar really-really high. Enough said, this game is masterpiece.

 

 

And after that, other great titles was coming out. Real football 2004 until Real football 2009 series has become the most awaited titles every year. From java version to the symbian using 3D engine. The publisher ,Gameloft has taken this industry really serious, and now what they "planted" over the past few years has "grown" and "harvest" really massive and it brings them to the top leader of mobile games industry. The way they market and sell their game is just brilliant. They make money but they always doing a divercification or inovation with their game, so their fans will stay loyal and they keep expanding the market.

And recently, they try their luck with expanding their market with Iphone platform. Last i heard, Terminator Salvation is on the verge of the release date while in the same time other developer, EA, FISHLABS has joined the competition to add the Iphone's library collection of games.

Opera Mini Ready for iPhone - Wil Apple Allow It?

Norway-based Opera Software ASA's mobile browsers -- Opera Mini 4 (currently in beta for Mini 5) and Opera Mobile 10 -- are the world's most used cell phone browsers. One of the key challenges to Opera's mobile market share over the past couple years has been Safari, the browser used on the iPhone.

Traditionally Apple did not allow third-party browsers on the iPhone. It recently relaxed these restrictions allowing third-party browsers -- but only those based on webkit. Now Opera has offered a sneak peak of Opera Mini on the iPhone, leaving many unanswered questions.

Opera Mini is based on the Presto layout engine, not Webkit, and is underpinned by Java ME API calls. Opera has already been welcomed on less unrestrictive platforms, such as Google's Android OS (which uses an emulation layer to translate the Java API calls to appropriate Android API calls). However, it seems pretty amazing if Apple actually allows Opera Mini -- a huge threat to its big mobile browsing market share -- on the iPhone.

SIM-free iPhone 3GS now available online

TheApple iPhone 3G S is now available online in 16GB and 32GB varieties priced at £799.99 and £899.99 respectively. There's probably not a whole heap of people that don't know the 3G S' vitals by now, but in case you've been in a cave, its particulars include:

• 3.5-inch 320x480 touchscreen
• Video capable 3.15-megapixel camera
• 3G HSDPA connectivity (7.2Mbps)
• WiFi
• Bluetooth v2.1
• A-GPS with Google Maps

Naturally, a large appeal of the iPhone lays in-waiting at the iTunes app store, with thousands of various functional and gaming apps.
With a seriously steep price tag that's roughly equivalent to a decent spec laptop, you're going to have to have a fairly serious phobia of O2 and contracts in general to shell out the reddies for this up-front.
If that sounds like you, then head on over to the Play.com website to peruse its wares.

Gameloft unveils Asphalt 5 for iphone

It becomes interesting and also distracts our attention with the newest and latest update from Iphone games. So it's my job to deliver every update from mobile games industry news. You may know that Iphone newest gadget, Iphone 3G had been released few days ago. And it's argued that there will be big enhancement with their newest software engine especially with their gaming compability that will allow game publishers for landing much more quality games in the terms of graphical capability. And that must be a sign that they are completely serious for making Iphone as a next gen gaming device but phones basic function aswell.

Anyway, a new series from the most anticipated racing mobile game, Asphalt, is stepping their foot to the newest series, Asphalt 5. Although their previous one, Asphalt 4 didnt do well in some aspects, let say, in graphical and gameplay enhancement, Gameloft is confident that they will bring a real fresh air, because their pride title is made for Iphone, which has all the aspect for gaming.

Gameloft promised us a "console quality" racer, with dynamic lighting and a super-smooth framerate. And in this game, you will be able to choose your own music while driving. And last but not least, Racing around Asphalt 5's tracks in 27 different licensed cars and four motorbikes

What Is Great About Online Casino Games?

As my previous posts have already delivered you with everything about casino online, again this time i would like to make another interesting post about casino games i found on internet. Nowadays, Online Casino Games has tremendously become bigger in any gaming platforms in the whole world amongst other gaming platforms, either console or handheld platforms. That is not a question anymore, because of course by playing online casino games, you will get the opportunity to win big amount of cash when your job salary can’t give you enough and you’ll finally feel the so called “financial freedom life”. So it’s time for you to pass another path to become rich, of course by joining online casino games.

So if you are well prepared to play casino games, you better check out this website i’m introducing to you right now. It’s called OnlineCasinoSpotlight.Com. Yeah, from the website name you will be guaranteed that this website is fully equipped with all the online casino games that you can find on internet. From the famous casino games such as Roulette, Poker, Slots, and Video Poker aswell. If you visit this website, you will be given the refference for the top 10 online casino games based on the top rating.

And the next interesting part from this website is, you will also get the information in the form of blog articles made by the author to keep you fresh and up to date with the latest news about casino online on internet, so you will know everything about casino online. So if you are interested with online casino gambling, you don’t need to search on other websites on internet because you are already in the right place and the right time. So let’s play casino online gambling as a side job.

iPhone OS v3.1 Improves iPhone Video Edits, Voice Controls

Apple already is gearing up for a new OS update
It didn't take Apple long after the release of its iPhone OS v3.0 to begin preparing for the first major update to the new OS. Apple has announced the availability of a beta of its OS v3.1 along with a 3.1 version SDK, for its developers.

IPhone OS v3.1 will improve video editing, one of the hot new features on the iPhone 3G S. The 3G S allows users to edit videos by selecting or deselecting series of frames, however, the edits automatically overwrote the original. Now the system prompts the user with the option to save a copy, when saving your editing work.

Arranging icons on the home screen also has had a cool vibration effect added. Another little OS level tweak is the boot time -- the phone now boots considerably faster.

Another nice addition is the inclusion of paste into the dialing screen. Users can now paste phone numbers into the dial box. Alphanumeric numbers, such as 1-800-MY-APPLE, will be properly converted to phone numbers.

MMS functionality is supported in the beta, though it is still not supported on the network by AT&T. The beta's final major addition is the ability to use Voice Control via a Bluetooth headset.

25 Essential Free iPhone Apps for Journalists and Bloggers

While some of the most useful iPhone apps already come installed — including the Safari Web browser, camera, maps and voice memos — journalists and bloggers often need more apps to be on the cutting edge of any news story. But, often armed with thin budgets, it can be difficult to arm your iPhone like the commando station you require. That’s why we’ve provided twenty-five essential iPhone apps for journalists and bloggers that are totally free.
The following list is categorized and apps are listed alphabetically within each category. We’ve also included a few tips that may help with your journalistic efforts.
Tip: If you plan to use a lot of apps, don’t get caught short with a dead battery. Do invest in an external battery backup to save all your work and keep a charger in your car.

Productivity

Tip: iPhone supports Cisco IPSec VPN and WPA2 Enterprise for secure access to corporate networks. If your office uses Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or 2007, you can wirelessly push email, calendar events, and contacts to iPhone.

1. Central Desktop MOBI: Red Oak Technologies has moved this app from beta into a 2.2 version, which makes it more reliable. Us this app to connect to your desktop with workspaces, tasks, events and calendars.
2. Dropbox: Download files for offline viewing, sync photos and videos and share links. The app works in conjunction with Dropbox’s downloadable programs for Windows, Mac and Linux computers and works even if you do not have access to cellular or Wi-Fi. The online basic version is free. Read more about this app at Mashable.
3. Evernote: Take notes, create lists, search through images and share information with others. Seamless integration across all devices, including Mac, Evernote Web, and Evernote for Windows.
4. Google: This app includes maps, Gmail, YouTube and Google’s new Buzz as well as search options — including Google Mobile Search. Read through this site to learn how to incorporate options into the iPhone.
5. iBillTo: Freelance journalists and bloggers can keep track of client billing information, rates and hours on specific projects.
6. Instapaper Free: One of the easiest ways to store Web pages for later offline reading. Go to Instapaper.com and install the Read Later bookmark to mark any pages you’d like to read later.
7. Qik for 3GS: A reliable and fast way to upload videos to the Internet. Includes Facebook Connect, YouTube, Twitter, and Qik.com.
8. Soonr – Integrated online workspace: Soonr secures documents in the cloud and makes it easy for teams to collaborate on projects when everyone is mobile. Automatic continuous backup of your PC or Mac makes sure that the files you need are available for remote access even when the computers are offline. Your phone or any web browser is your control panel.
9. WordWeb English Dictionary for iPhone and iPod Touch: Use this dictionary to gain access to 285,000 words, phrases and derived forms including many proper nouns, compounds and phrases. ull coverage of American, British, Canadian, Australasian and Asian English and it works offline. The standard edition is free, audio version is about $5.00 USD.
10. Zoho Office Suite: Offers six online applications including email, calendar, online word processor, spreadsheet, presentation and database applications. Syncs with online application.

Communication

Tip: You can talk to more than one person at a time on your iPhone and merge up to five calls, depending on your carrier. Conference calling may be an optional service in some countries. Contact your carrier for more information.

11. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center: Use this application to attend, schedule, start, and cancel WebEx Meetings. Get the full meeting experience with native 3G or WiFi support for simultaneous data and audio. You don’t need a WebEx account to attend WebEx meetings.
12. Facebook: Facebook for iPhone makes it easy to stay connected and share information. You can view news feed groups, view events, and upload photos and videos, but you cannot view videos that have been uploaded to FB. App includes built-in web browser.
13. iTalk Recorder: If you are serious about capturing the sounds around you, Griffin iTalk is the app you need for your iPhone. Your recordings are saved for replay on your iPhone or iPod, and you can use iTalk Sync (free download) to drag-and-drop them as high-quality AIFF files to your computer over a Wi-Fi connection.
14. LinkedIn: Stay connected with your professional network with this free app. Get the latest updates and messages from your network and keep them up-to-date with your status in real-time.
15. Skype: With Skype on your iPhone or iPod touch you can call and instant message anyone else on Skype for free. You also can call landlines and mobiles and send SMS anywhere in the world at great rates.
16. TweetDeck for iPhone: Filter messages by columns, create groups and use multiple accounts at one time with this app. If you use the desktop version of Tweetdeck, you can sync across all computers and your iPhone.

Outside the Home Zone

Tips: Before you leave, take a photo of your passport for safekeeping. Should you lose your iPhone, keep it safe by setting a passcode lock. You also can turn off data roaming while traveling abroad to save on data charges.

17. A Simple to use Translator: Very basic translator that reaches into ten different languages. You select a source and a destination language, enter the text and learn the translation.
18. Places: Tap one of the preset buttons for coffee, gas, ATM, etc., or enter a place name and you receive information for the best route to that source. Uses Geolocation to find you and to offer the best routes.
19. TripIt – Travel Organizer: TripIt Travel Organizer puts all your travel plans right on your iPhone no matter where your travel was booked. If you’re a frequent traveler, you might want to upgrade.
20. XE Currency: Keep track of mid-market rates for every world currency with this app. You can use it offline and the last updated rates are stored on your iPhone.

Stay on Top of News, Information

Tip: Open the Stocks app, then rotate to see breaking news about investments and the stock market.

21. AP Mobile: You probably know by now that AP is on top of the story both locally and globally. AP Mobile news helps you keep up-to-date with what’s happening anywhere, in your hometown and across the globe. Additionally, you can personalize the news to meet your needs.
22. ESPN ScoreCenter: Stay on top of the latest scores from hundreds of sports leagues around the world. Get full-season and single-game scoring alerts, game starts, scoring plays, end of period/qtr/half, and final score alerts.
23. Stanza: Read books on your iPhone or iPod Touch with this highly-rated ebook reader. Purchase popular new books from a selection of over 50,000 contemporary titles available in various partner stores, or choose from an additional 50,000 free classics and recent original works available from Project Gutenberg, Feedbooks, and many other sources.
24. TED: Inspiration, knowledge, news and story ideas all in one place. This application integrates multiple information feeds from TED into an unique user experience on the iPhone.
25. The Weather Channel®: Take your weather experience to the next level with in-motion radar maps, traffic cams (select markets), improved graphics and more.

Your dog wants you to download some Free iPhone Apps

Lately, the number of travelers who are accompanied by their canines has increased so dog friendly information has become a hot commodity. In the past there were informative but not necessarily mobile user friendly Dog Lovers Companion guide books, the Dog Friendly website and Bay area’s Dining with Sophie website. More recently, lucky iPhone mobile users have found imper