Add some flare to your photos with LensFlare

BrainFeverMedia has updated their photography app, LensFlare, with two new lens flares: SuperFlare and Transformers. This apps gives you the ability to add lens flares to your photos.

Features:

Flare types:

Lens flares used to be considered a photographic flaw and lens makers have put in a lot of effort to reduce this effect as much as possible and photographers have invested in lens hoods to help prevent it. Recently, however, it has become all the rave and viewed as artistic. Even so, not all lens flare is good lens flare, and it is very difficult to get right with an iPhone. Personally, I think LensFlare is perfect for the situations when bad lens flare is involved in my photo and I want to make it look good.

LensFlare is available for $0.99. Screenshots after the break.

[iTunes link]

Have an app you’d love to see featured on TiPb? Email us at iosapps@tipb.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Superfunctional 1: Standing desks

Superfunctional is our new podcast focused on ways to reduce or eliminate physical pain from your life, and restore function to your body. In our debut episode, Geoff and Rene introduce Muscle Balance and Function Development, and the benefits of standing desks.

Got something to say? Agree or disagree with something we said? Have something you want us to discuss on a future show? Don’t just stand there yelling at the screen, let us know!

Geoff Gluckman (@deadlyexchange)

Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie)

Daily Tip: How to automatically send your music, book, and app purchases to your iPhone, iPad, and computers

Curious how to use the new iCloud feature that enables Automatic Downloads? Luckily for us, this feature has rolled out before iOS 5, and anyone using iOS 4.3.3 or later has the ability to use it. But what exactly is Automatic Downloads? To find out, follow along after the break!

Say, for example, you purchase 1password on your iPad. This is a universal app, so you probably want it on your iPhone as well. To do this before, you would have to either sync your iPad, then iPhone with iTunes, or manually install 1password from the App Store on your iPhone. Not any more! Now you can enable automatic downloads on your iPhone, iPad, and computers so that any music, iBook, or app purchase you make will automatically download to all your devices – and here’s how!

There you have it! Now your devices are ready to automatically download your purchases through the cloud. Let us know how this worked out for you and if you have any questions!

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to news@tipb.com. (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)

More details on iOS 4.3.3 jailbreak

Fast Sn0w is one of the best options going around when it comes to jail breaking an iOS device. The latest release by the development team is yet another counter retaliation against Apple’s determined campaign against jail breakers, many of whom continuously defy Apple by jail breaking their iPhones. Recent legal rulings show that courts favour jail breaking, but Apple has responded by cutting off support and locking out devices with each additional update.
 

The advantages of jail breaking include the ability to use it on other carriers and install apps that have not been approved by Apple. However, once you have done this you can forget about updating the iOS software or taking it to Apple for tech support.
 
The latest jailbreak update is a Fast-Unlock mechanism. According to recent reviews, Fast Sn0w’s 0.9.6rc15 jailbreak is quite safe and secure. However, more time is needed to properly access this claim. Judging by their reputation, it seems like a safe bet.
 
This update will also support untethered jail breaking. If you are planning to unlock your iPhone 4 via Windows, you need to use Sn0wbreeze and if you have a Mac, then you will need to get your hands on the PwnageTool.
 
Apple does not plan on standing by the sidelines as new and more effective jail breaking techniques are proliferating at an increasing pace. In fact, it announced that the iOS 5 would specifically target jail breaking and seek to seal weak spots in the operating system. If we know anything from this war, it is that this is going to continue for a long time.
 
The only ones not having this problem is Android and that is because it is an open source project. Perhaps Apple has a little to learn from all of this. Perhaps it could allow users to tinker around with some common features while maintaining control over the major features of the iOS.

iPad HD for Pro Market and Brand New iPhone Design This Fall?

The next onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" target="_blank" title="iPad" href="http://www.ip4help.com">iPad may not even technically (no pun intended) be the iPad 2′s successor. Instead, it could introduce a new model into the iPad lineup suited for more professional and technologically-enamored users if tech blog onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/thisismynext.com/2011/07/07/iphone-5-design-ipad-hd-iphone-4s/');" target="_blank" href="http://www.ip4help.com">This is my next… is to be believed. Rather than adopting a Pro moniker such as used in the onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.macbookinsurance.com');" target="_blank" title="MacBook" href="http://www.ip4help.com">MacBook Pro and Mac Pro branding, such an iPad would simply be iPad HD.

Of course, the display is typically what make a device a high-definition, and iPad HD would have a huge boost to a 250dpi resolution, 2048×1536. That makes it just shy of the 300dpi Retina Display spec. As iPhone 4 demonstrates, anybody can benefit from such a high-resolution, though iPad HD will be specifically-marketed to the photo and video industries. A powerful application in Apple’s professional software suite, likely Final Cut or Aperture, will be released at the same time.

Why the addition of an improved screen could be the sole reason for iPad HD’s existence boils down to cost. A 2048×1536 display, possibly OLED, is much more expensive to produce than the mundane 1024×768 resolution that the current iPad and iPad 2 displays (and most other 9.7″ tablet displays) utilize. Speedier hardware could accompany the new screen, particularly since a higher resolution requires more performance.

To put a 2048×1536 resolution into perspective, a 1080p movie is a resolution of 1920×1080, so the iPad HD would ironically be capable of displaying more detail than HDTVs currently available for consumer purchase.

Before bringing a doubled resolution display to the consumer iPad line, only a small selection of apps would actually take advantage of the iPad HD, thus why Apple would make iPad HD specifically aimed towards a much smaller market than the standard model. It is going to take more time for iPad apps to transition to such a high resolution than the transition towards Retina Display iPhone apps because of the requirements and limited ownership, but it’s partly preparation for the standard market once newer generations are released.

The report also mentions a redesigned thinner, lighter iPhone 5, delayed due to production issues and coming in fall as well. iPhone 5 is set to feature a brand new design and an upgrade to a larger 3.7″ display.

Jailbreak Users Can Trace-to-Type with Swype

Swype has been a trusty alternative to the typical touch keyboard on other mobile platforms. Simply quickly swipe your way from key-to-key and Swype can predict each and every word with an impressive accuracy. Anybody with a jailbroken iPhone can get in on the tracing action, albeit unofficially through developer Andrew Liu’s port.

(The featured image is of the official Swype. iPhone users can download a port in beta form that may reach the pictured state eventually through the developer’s work.)

It has to be noted how this is not a full implementation of Swype. Crucial features such as a line informing you which keys your finger has travelled over are missing. In onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/swype-unofficially-makes-its-way-to-ios-slides-in-via-jailbreak/');" target="_blank" href="http://www.ip4help.com">Engadget‘s test, they found that the iOS port was not as accurate as the more authentic Swype. They had also found that though Messaging, Mail, and Search allow for Swypy Swyping, most other apps including Safari follow the “Swiper, no swiping” policy.

Hopefully the beta certification of this release means that an update adding more functionality and better-mirroring the official Swype implementations is in order. The 0.1.0 version number should be a good indication that this is indeed the case.

Swype has shown interest in bringing an app to the iPhone since last year, but that has yet to be released. Of course, an app is as far as the company behind Swype could go without Apple choosing to add the typing tech as an option.

If your iPhone is open and ready for customization, then why not give this typing alternative a try? Find a repo in the jailbreak hub Cydia hosting Swype, and trace your way towards messages. Who knows, you may find it an improvement as some have on their Swype-supported Android phones.

5 Revolutionary Features the iPhone 5 can Incorporate

What makes a phone iconic? It is obviously a revolutionary feature(s). Take the iPhone for example, there are lots of phones out there which have better features than the iPhone in virtually every category (speed, camera, software, battery etc.). However, it is much more popular than other brands because it has a history of championing revolutionary design or hardware features. That is why the iPhone is always so exciting.

 

So are there any features that will make the iPhone 5 stand out of the crowd? Yep, there are plenty but we narrowed it down to our favorite five.
 
4G connectivity
 
The iPhone 5 will almost certainly feature 4G connectivity. The network is out there and already a host of Android devices is embracing the technology. Apple will be insane to stay out.
 
Near Field Communication (NFC)
 
NFC technology transforms a smartphone into a digital wallet. Therefore, instead of going to any store with multiple credit cards and a whole wad of cash, all you need is to wave your phone. Now Google has already launched the Google Wallet and quite a number of Android enabled devices feature NFC technology. Apple may very well incorporate this into the iPhone 5.
 
Edge-to-edge display
 
If this becomes a reality, it would undoubtedly be one of the coolest design features on any smartphone in the market. Let us hope Apple leads the way.
 
Better Camera
 
Only a handful of smartphones can substitute stand-alone cameras and the iPhone is not one of them. Fortunately, new technology might actually help the iPhone 5 to feature a better camera (8 megapixels) and smoother functionality. The recent tweaks to iOS 5 might provide a clue.
 
GSM and CDMA support
 
An iPhone that works on both networks will give users amazing flexibility when it comes to choosing their carriers.

Will The iPod Touch 3G Happen?

How would you like an iPhone that doesn’t make phone calls? Or more accurately, an iPod Touch that can browse the web anywhere and everywhere? Dutch Apple blog AppleSpot.nl is reporting that the iPod Touch may become the iPod Touch 3G, with an iPad style 3G connection. A 9to5Mac reader translated the report into English:

It will work just like the iPad; you get a 3G enabled simcard from your provider and put that in you iPod Touch. Apple’s choice of bringing 3G to the iPod Touch isn’t all that weird, if it’s true of course. Question remains how the providers will react to this, since the use of for example Skype will skyrocket.

This rumor doesn’t really have legs right now, but it’s an idea I find intriguing. If the current rumors of a cut price iPhone release are true, a low-cost iPhone would put a lot of pressure on the iPod Touch — why buy an iTouch when you can buy an iPhone for the same price? By putting a 3G connection into it, you make up much of the lost ground, and once you couple with Google Voice or something similar, you’ve got a decent iPhone replacement without a two-year contract.

Mobile Nations 2: Not yet begun to fight!

Kevin, Phil, and Rene discuss whether or not Google should buy RIM, how BlackBerry can fight back, is Google MIA in the patent wars, Google+ is here, the TouchPad has landed, and will there be a second new iPad this year? Bringing together the heads of state of Android, BlackBerry, iOS, webOS, and Windows Mobile for full on round-table action. This is Mobile Nations!

Show notes after the break!

Got something to say? Agree or disagree with something we said? Have something you want us to discuss on a future show? Don’t just sit there yelling at the screen, dammit, let us know!

Phil Nickinson (@philnickinson)

Kevin Michaluk (@crackberrykevin)

Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie)

Our music is pROgraM vs. Us3R by by morgantj. Introduction by Joseph Holder.

Thanks to the Smartphone Experts network of store for sponsoring this podcast, and to our fantastic live chat members for keeping us honest and making us smart!

Final space mission commences, with two iPhone 4s on board

Space shuttle Atlantis was launched from Kennedy Space Center this morning at 11:29am. STS-135 is the last mission of over 30 years of space exploration. The two iPhone 4s taken into space are pre-loaded with the app SpaceLab for iOS, which will allow scientists to conduct several experiments, including the following –

Limb Tracker – This navigation experiment will involve taking photographs of the Earth and matching an arc to the horizon through manipulation of an overlay. This performs the function roughly equivalent to a “manual” horizon sensor. It will yield an estimate of altitude (height above the surface) and “off axis” angle, a measurement of the angle of the image with respect to the Earth’s center.

Sensor Cal – This sensor calibration experiment uses a series of photos of a reference image, combined with propagated information using three-axis gyro and accelerometer measurements to calibrate the gyros and the accelerometers (i.e. bias and scale coefficients). This will improve the knowledge and accuracy of subsequent measurements.

State Acq State Acquisition – This navigation experiment uses a series of photos of a reference image and of the Earth, combined with information from the three-axis gyro and accelerometer, to estimate the position of the spacecraft (latitude and longitude). The position estimation is generated by manipulating and matching a wireframe overlay of the Earth’s coastlines to the acquired Earth image(s). Performing multiple sequences, separated by a known amount of time, can permit estimation of the spacecraft’s orbit parameters.

LFI Lifecycle Flight Instrumentation – This experiment will characterize the effects of radiation on the device by monitoring certain areas of memory for Single Bit Upsets – an unintended change in value of a memory location caused by exposure to radiation.

The iPhone’s three-axis gyroscopes and accelerometer should perform well in zero gravity and let scientists conduct experiments in a more cost efficient way. The mission will last 12 days but the iPhones will remain in space. The Russian Soyuz vehicle will return the iPhone 4′s to Earth possibly as soon as this Fall. Flight data will be collected and analyzed once they return to Earth.

You can check out SpaceLab for iOS in the App Store now (iTunes Link). Not all experiments will work without a zero gravity environment but it’s still an extremely interesting app to check out.

[ SpaceLab for iOS, MacRumors]

Is Apple Censoring MobileMe Emails?

Hooboy folks, we’re about to go down a rabbit hole here. Fair warning: there are multiple ways to interpret the tale we’re about to hear, and fans on both sides of the aisle are already frothing at the mouth over this.

A user at MacInTouch was attempting to send out a rather politically charged email over his MobileMe account, but it never sent. He was attempting to send this message to a mailing list:

The authoritarian Governments in Syria, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Yemen continue to oppress and massacre their own citizens. Their manipulative and combative attempts at controlling the media and their citizens are unethical and illegal. They continue to oppress its own citizens through beatings, harassment, jailing and killings.
Stop the oppression of innocent Arab People!!!
Take a stand against Authoritarian Oppressive Regimes!
Equal Rights to all people!

However, even though his other emails went through fine, this one refused to. It would just never arrive at the intended recipient, and it wouldn’t bounce back either.

CultOfMac tried sending the email themselves, and found that using MobileMe’s web interface the messages wouldn’t arrive, but piping them through Mail went just fine.

Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller commented on the issue, saying:

“We want to make clear that Apple is not blocking MobileMe email due to political content. Occasionally, MobileMe’s automated spam filters may block legitimate user emails by mistake. If a customer feels that a legitimate email of theirs was blocked this way, we encourage them to get in touch and report the issue to MobileMe support.”

Users are now chiming in with their own experiences. Some say Apple’s censoring people. Some say this is spam filtering gone askew. Some say they’ve tried sending the message themselves without any problems.

Curious, no?

iPhone Nano To Launch This September?

Seth Weintraub of 9to5 Mac has received information from a source that Apple will be releasing two iPhones this Fall — the expected followup to the iPhone 4, and a low-end model to challenge the cheap Android handsets. Will this be the arrival of the iPhone Nano? The existence of a low-end, affordable and possibly unlocked iPhone has been the subject of some pretty serious discussion over the past couple of weeks, but Weintraub puts his own spin on things.

He believes that rather than a new piece of hardware arriving and the iPhone 4 being reduced to second rate, a new, cheap, small phone will be produced. One possible way of doing this would be to install cellphone parts into the existing iPod Touch hardware he suggests.

Right now we’re hearing a flurry of ideas about Apple intentionally splitting their iOS lines like they did with the iPod years ago. Yesterday the big rumors was of a new, pro-level iPad 2 HD.

Verizon iPhone Accounts For 1/3 Of iPhone Traffic

According to analytics group Localytics, Verizon is making steady in-roads into the world of the iPhone, and now accounts for 32% of iPhone traffic in the USA. When the Verizon iPhone launched in February, it quickly grabbed 20% of the marketshare, as all those dedicated Verizon users jumped on board — but many worried that the interest would soon trickle off. However, the last six months have seen a steady growth in their numbers and a major upswing in July, up to the current 32% of the market.

Localytics attributes this July leap to Verizon still offering unlimited data at that point, though that fact is no longer true.

I wonder if these numbers will change significantly when the next iPhone is simultaneously released on both AT&T and Verizon.

[via NetworkWorld]

Express your fashion sense with Dress The Monkey – Fashion Monkey

Apalon’s little iPhone game, Dress The Monkey – Fashion Monkey, is a relaxing fashion game with the only goal of dressing up your monkey.

Although primarily targeted towards children, I enjoy playing with this app. I like cute little cuddly things, and it’s fun dressing up my little monkey. My favorite feature is that in addition to accessorizing, I can choose a facial expression for my monkey that matches my personal mood. Such a great little time killer.

Dress The Monkey – Fashion Monkey is available for free with optional in-app purchases. Screenshots after the break.

[iTunes link]

New and updated iPhone and iPad apps for Friday, July 8

Every day, TiPb gets flooded with announcements for new and updated iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps and games. So every day we pick just a few of the most interesting, the most notable, and simply the most awesome to share with you!

Spark Control: A creative idea turned into reality can change the world. Only you can keep the spark of creativity energized and get it to the inventor’s box! [Free for iPhone and iPad - iTunes link]

Templates for Keynote Pro: you get a framework of presentations that put your message in the center. No more worrying about the look of your presentation, no more waste of time to find the right template that fits your needs. [$4.99 for iPad - iTunes link]

UltraDeep: Pickup diamonds which will charge your superpower. When the superpower gauge is full you can tap the screen to activate the superpower and smash down through obstacles at amazing speeds! [$0.99 for iPhone, with in-app purchases - iTunes link]

PizzaExpress Book a table when you’re out and about, browse the menu to choose what to eat, store your downloaded PizzaExpress offer codes, and you can now pay your bill with PayPal using your iPhone. [Free for iPhone - iTunes link]

Pudding puzzle: Connect two same color blocks with your finger in limited time. [$0.99 for iPhone - iTunes link]

Any other big app or game releases or updates today?

Have an app you’d love to see featured on TiPb? Email us at iosapps@tipb.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Apple Plans To Fix iPhone Security Flaw

On Wednesday, Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security issued a security warning for all iOS devices due to a security hole on the OS. Either opening an infected PDF or visiting a website with the infected PDF would create an opening for malware to be injected into the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. The iPhone security hole gives the hacker admin privileges, which includes full access to your data, email, and contacts.

Yesterday, Apple declared that they were aware of the issue and working on a fix. In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, Apple said, ”[we] takes security very seriously, we’re aware of this reported issue and developing a fix that will be available to customers in an upcoming software update.”

Which means expect the hole to be plugged in the next couple of days.

Second iPad Hacker Indicted

Late June saw an iPad hacker plead guilty to the massive AT&T data breach from a year ago, and a second man has just been found guilty. Andrew Auernheimer, who was previously arrested on drug charges after revealing the a security hole at AT&T rather than exploiting it. Auernheimer, aka Weev, aka Escher  has now been charged on one count of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to computers and one count of identity theft.

Auernheimer and his associate brute forced AT&T’s network to extract 100,000 identities of iPad users using a network vulnerability they had discovered.

Comex to address camera connection kit issues caused by jailbreakme [jailbreak]

If you have jailbroken your iPad with the recently released Jailbreakme exploit and use the official Apple Camera Connection Kit, you may have noticed that it no longer works. Apparently Comex knows all about the problem and will be issuing a fix for it today. The fix will enable you to use the Camera Connection Kit as normal and will also address some packages from Cydia that have had problems too.

According to Comex, if you are already jailbroken, the fix will be in the form of a download from Cydia. We assume then that it should be part of any new jailbreak in the future; but don’t quote us on that!

[@comex]

Remote Potato HD heading to the iPad, puts Windows Media Center and iPad in perfect harmony

Remote Potato HD is coming soon for the iPad and if you’re a Windows Media Center user this could be the perfect app. With Remote Potato HD you can browse and stream all of your Windows Media Center content directly to your iPad in high resolution; locally or over the internet. You can also access your Media Center EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and schedule recordings all from within the app.

Another great feature, if you have an Apple TV, is AirPlay. As Remote Potato HD uses the Apple video player, to play back content, AirPlay can be used to stream to your Apple TV 2. This would enable your Apple TV to become a type of Media Center Extender.

In order to use the app with your Media Center system, you will have to install an application that handles the streaming and transcoding. This is available free from Remote Potato. The app has already been submitted to Apple for approval; so expect it to arrive any day now. No news on pricing yet but the existing version for iPhone and iPod touch is priced at $6.99.

There is a video demo of the app after the break. It looks like a fantastic solution; if you are a Windows Media Center and iPad user. I will be trying this one out as soon as it is available!

[Remote Potato via The Digital Lifestyle]

TWCable TV App updated, more channels available but now blocks jailbroken devices

The TW Cable app has just been updated by Time Warner and has added in some nice new features to an already impressive app — but it now also blocks Jailbroken devices. So the good news is, you now have over 100 channels available to watch from within the app and also a remote DVR Manager for compatible cable boxes. The downside, if you decide to update and have a jailbroken iPad, the the app will block you from viewing any content.

We can only imagine that Time Warner is trying to prevent jailbroken users from accessing its content in ways that are against its terms and conditions (i.e. the old “they’ll steal our content!!” bit). However, it feels more like a of overly reactionary discrimination going on here against the majority of honest jailbreak and TW Cable users!

Apparently, there is a way to bypass the jailbreak check and get the app working on a jailbroken iPad. It involves manually installing a .deb file on your device. FSM has a post up explaining how to do it, so hit the link below if you want to give it a try.

[iTunes link, FSM, Thanks Matthew for the tip!]

Swype keyboard ported to iOS, a new way to enter text [jailbreak]

Swype, the popular Android keyboard replacement, has been ported to iOS devices and is now available in beta through Cydia. Swype is an alternative way to enter text on a keyboard that enables you to slide your finger over the screen through the letters that form the word.

Swype is already a very popular keyboard alternative on the Android platform and with this jailbreak release, iOS users can now try it out for themselves. Restrictions by Apple have prevented Swype from being made officially available in the App Store; so developer Andrew Liu decided to port a version over to iOS.

As it is still in an early beta stage, some things don’t work fully, as of yet. Swype will only work in stock iOS apps and not third party apps. Also there is no blue line indicating where you are swiping on the keyboard. These and other features will be added very soon; according to Andrew.

To try out Swype, you need to add a new repository within Cydia (http://wynd.x10.mx) then install from there. Once installed you can then use the current keyboard normally or use the Swype method too.

I have been using it for the last hour and it seems to work very well, at least with everyday words. Names and other characters are hit and miss at best but as it is integrated with the stock keyboard, you can use both methods to get what you need quickly. All in all it is a nice keyboard to have at your disposal and one that will surely improve as features are added!

[@Andrew Liu via Modmyi]