Evernote Peek updated with audio clues

Evernote has updated their iPad app, Evernote Peek, with support for audio clues.

Evernote Peek is the first app designed for the iPad 2 Smart Cover! Studying with an iPad has never been more natural. Simply peek under the cover to prepare for a quiz, practice a language or strengthen your memory.

Here’s how it works:

The update includes:

I wish this app was available when I was a student! Some topics are studied best with flashcards, and if could have used my iPad and Smart Cover as flash cards, studying would’ve been more exciting – and I just may not have dropped out of Biology.

Evernote Peek is available on the iPad for free. 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.

iPad Live 66: iPad 2 vs. MacBook Air

Georgia, Seth, and Rene discuss iOS 5 beta 4 over-the-air (OTA) updates, and iPad 2 on iOS 5 vs. the new MacBook Air on the new OS X Lion — which one is for you? Plus Lodsys makes the birds angrier, and Google Plus vs. Facebook. This is iPad Live!

Thanks to the TiPb iPad Accessory Store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Music Hear me Roar by iPad Live theme song contest winner, DieselJesus!

iNitsua Z Twilight 3volution theme [Jailbreak]

iNitsua is back and this time it’s with iNitsua Z Twilight 3volution, the sequel to K. Nitsua and Zausser’s original Twilight HD, this time with the fit, finish and UI crafting of Barsoverbeats, and over 20 gorgeous Retina Display wallpapers by K. Nitsua.

For those keeping track, it’s the 7th iNitsua theme since 2009, and the features just keep getting better:

Theming — the ability to customize the look and feel of your iPhone, your way — remains something unique to Jailbreak and with themes like iNitsua Z Twilight 3volution, it remains one of the most compelling reasons to Jailbreak.

iNitsua Twilight 3volution by K. Nitsua and Barsoverbeats is available now for iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4, with an iPad version to come. More screenshots after the break.

[$2.99 - Cydia Theme Store]

Daily Tip: How to download and keep YouTube videos to your iPhone or iPad

If you have ever wanted to download YouTube videos directly to your iOS device and haven’t found a good solution yet, well we may have the answer. What’s more, this tip does not require a jailbroken device. Read on and we will show you how right after the break!

[Thanks to  Colin for sending us this awesome tip, we'll send something special your way!]

Download TagDisk  from the App Store. To test the app, the free “Lite” version will do fine but it is restricted to four video downloads, if you find this app useful, you may want to upgrade to the full version.

• When all the downloads are complete, click on the “Disk” icon in the bottom toolbar and go into Documents. Here you will find your downloaded videos. A simple click on one of the videos and it will start to play. No need for any network connection to watch the downloaded videos!

That is all you need to do. I even tested this with Vimeo as well as YouTube and again it works perfectly. This little tip is awesome for me personally as I have awful broadband speeds at home. I can now download a slew of YouTube videos while I am at the office and enjoy them at my leisure without dealing with the stuttering, waiting and dropouts!

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…)

 

iControlPad now available

When the iPhone first started making a serious effort to draw the attention of gamers from traditional systems like Nintendo and PSP, they were criticized because hardcore gamers require some durable hardware (i.e: a physical gamepad) which the iPhone’s touch screen cannot exactly substitute. There are plenty of games that can be played on the iPhone that do not require a physical gamepad per-ce but for the hardcore user who is accustomed to getting into tapping frenzies, a touch screen may not be the best option. Fortunately, the iControlPad now gives the iPhone a real opportunity to become a truly worthy gaming device for hardcore gamers.
 

The iControlPad features “clamps” that can be customized to fit on any kind of smartphone. These clamps help hold the phone securely to the control pad. The entire system works wirelessly so you do not have the added strain of a messy installation. Overall, the system feels very comfortable and is quite sturdy. Unlike, most accessories, it is designed Germany and tested in England, which is a welcome change from the low-cost methods of most manufactures.
 
The control pad features 2 Analogue nubs, 6 face buttons and 2 rear buttons and it supports multiple protocols. Right now, iPhone users should have jailbreak for emulators but the system works on supporting iTunes apps as well. Battery power should not be a problem either (important when it comes to the iPhone) because it features an internal 1350maH battery, which can also charge your phone via USB while you play your favourite games.
 
Since the entire system is perfectly mobile, you can take it with you anywhere and convert your iPhone into an all-powerful gaming device and tap away like a hardcore gamer without destroying the screen. The combination of a touch-screen and physical control pad is the best thing for iPhone gaming enthusiasts. The system is available for $69.99.

Next-Generation iPod Touch with 3G?

Could Apple be hinting at a next-generation iPod Touch with a 3G model as an alternative option? It’s unlikely, but the rumor mill is at it again thanks to a screenshot from a current iPod Touch running on the iOS 5 beta.

Not only will the new iPhone be introduced this August/September, but a new line of iPods is also likely to be showcased, which includes the new iPod Touch. The rumors are already circulating, with pictures href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/this-is-what-the-next-ipod-touch-will-probably-look-like">a supposed white iPod Touch already emerging and more most likely to soon hit the web.

A screenshot was taken on an iPod Touch, running Apple’s iOS 5 beta, that hints that Apple could include 3G in the next model./> href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/next-generation-ipod-touch-with-3g/attachment/3g-ipod-touch" rel="attachment wp-att-20800">src="http://www.iphonealley.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/3G-iPod-Touch.png" alt="" title="3G-iPod Touch" width="641" height="538" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20800" />/> There are multiple, justifiable reasons that the 3G option is on the iPod Touch: code-sharing is not un-common. In fact, it’s very common, especially with Apple. This could just been an instance where Apple didn’t need to remove the option from the iPod Touch beta, and are planning to take it out in the public build of iOS 5 coming out this Fall. It could also be a mistake, which is what 9to5Mac thinks:

“The obvious explanation for the screenshot above, taken on a current Retina iPod touch with the latest iOS 5 Beta, is that Apple messed up by leaving the ‘Cellular’ data option in the iPod software”

My take, for those interested? I wouldn’t put it past Apple to do something like that, but also alongside the option to opt out on the 3G. Also, with a href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/apple-to-offer-low-priced-iphone-alongside-next-generation-device-in-august">low-price iPhone model without a contract supposedly soon to be announced, it wouldn’t be completely ethical for Apple to offer an iPod Touch at (probably) around the same price point as well.

So, again, this could just be yet another false rumor that has been either brewed up or blown up out of proportion.

Our other rumors for the iPod Touch: href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/this-is-what-the-next-ipod-touch-will-probably-look-like">White iPod Touch, href="http://www.iphonealley.com/blog/speculation-could-apple-include-an-led-flash-on-the-new-ipod-touch">LED Flash (speculation), href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/an-infrared-system-for-future-ios-cameras">Infrared System in Cameras (no backing other than official patent)

[Via onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/9to5mac.com/2011/07/23/ipod-touch-gets-cellular-toggle-switch-in-ios-5/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+9To5Mac-MacAllDay+%289+to+5+Mac+-+Apple+Intelligence%29');" target="_blank" href="http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/23/ipod-touch-gets-cellular-toggle-switch-in-ios-5/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+9To5Mac-MacAllDay+%289+to+5+Mac+-+Apple+Intelligence%29">9to5Mac]

The Sonos Play Wireless Speakers

The best things in life are rather quite expensive and that is a fact. When it comes to awesome sound systems for your iPhone then one of the best systems on the market right now is the Sonos Play system. This wireless speaker system is perfect for iPhone users who demand the best quality sound without the hassle of wires running across the room.

The Sonos Play 3, which is the cheapest model goes for $299 and consists of a Digital music with HiFi sound, 3-driver speaker system, 3 digital amps, 1 tweeter, 2 mid-range drivers and 1 bass radiator.

The Sonos Play 5 costs $399 and features a Digital music with HiFi sound, 5-driver speaker system, 5 digital amps, 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range drivers and 1 bass driver.

Both systems pack together a lot of hardware and provide some amazing sound. The Play 3 is smaller in comparison and features the Sonos Controller software for Mac, Windows, Android and iOS. In addition, there are free Sonos controller apps for the iPhone and the iPad. These dedicated apps allow you to play music directly from your iTunes library and even let you stream music from online radio stations such as Last.fm, SiriusXM, Rhapsody and Spotify.

The system connects wirelessly through your home network so you need a good internet connection or it could connect via the Sonos’ Bridge. You can arrange the system horizontally or vertically depending on your taste. The best thing about going wireless is the fact that you can place these speakers virtually anywhere within a particular room without have to tuck away the wires or run the risk of bringing down the entire system with one false step.

The amazing power and specs that is going into the Sonos systems really makes this one of the best sound systems for the iPhone or iPad.

Tweetbot Push Notifications Enabled for the Masses

Tapbots, the creator of Tweetbot, have enabled push notifications for all customers. They had been testing the services over the past few weeks, but only select individuals were granted access. That all changes today, with everyone having access to push notifications. You’ll need to be sure you are running Tweetbot 1.4.1.

href="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tweetbot-review.png">class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20724" title="tweetbot-review" src="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tweetbot-review.png" alt="Tweetbot Review" width="233" height="350" />

Here’s how to activate push notifications within the app:

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Tapbots have mentioned in the past that push notifications might not be free and this update is not a clear indication that push will be free forever. The company is keeping an eye on server and bandwidth costs over the next few months before making any decision. For now, it’s free, so enjoy it.

Source: href="http://tapbots.com/blog/tweetbot/experimental-push-qa">Tapbots

Related: href="http://www.everythingicafe.com/review-tweetbot-twitter-app-for-iphone/2011/04/15/">Tweetbot Review

Google Books Is Back, Without In-App Purchases

Following up from href="http://www.everythingicafe.com/apps-get-slammed-by-apple-over-in-app-purchases/2011/07/25/">earlier reports, Google Books was briefly pulled from the app store over the weekend, but href="http://www.cultofmac.com/google-books-is-back-on-the-app-store-in-full-compliance-with-apples-iap-rules/105986">is now back — and completely missing the links to their web store to purchase books. As with the Kindle, Kobo and Nook apps, Google has bowed to Apple’s rules and removed links to outside web stores.

Apple’s new rules state that in-app purchases must be available at the same rate as web-based, and that all the in-app ones give a 30% cut to Apple. This has caused many apps to completely kill purchases on their apps, instead requiring their users to sign onto their accounts through other methods, and buy content online, which syncs with the iOS version.

I know that this is Apple’s playground and they set the rules — but this whole thing has left a decidedly nasty taste in my mouth.

Amazon updates Kindle app, adds new features, removes link to web store [Updated: Nook and Google Books too]

Amazon has released an update to its Kindle app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The update removes the Kindle Store button from the app to meet Apple’s terms and conditions. What is more interesting is that you can now read over 100 newspapers and magazines with high resolution color images.

• This update removes the Kindle Store button from the app.


• Read over 100 newspapers and magazines including The Economist and Reader’s Digest with high resolution color images. Visit the Kindle Store to subscribe to a newspaper or magazine and have each edition automatically delivered, or purchase individual issues.


• Customers who receive newspapers and magazines on Kindle can download recent editions to their iOS devices from Archived Items. Many newspapers and magazines are supported, and more are on the way.


• Share quotes and passages with your friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter while reading.

Kindle is my app of choice for reading books, newspapers and magazines on my iPad. I find it a much better experience than iBooks and the Kindle Store has a lot more content too. It is a shame that the Kindle Store button had to go but Amazon would have had to give Apple 30% to offer content through in-app purchases!

[Free – iTunes link]

UPDATE: Nook and Google Books apps have also been updated to remove links to their external stores.

Apple releases iOS 4.3.5 and iOS 4.2.10 security fix for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

Apple has released iOS 4.3.5 for iPad, iPod touch, and GSM /AT&T iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS, and iOS 4.2.10 for Verizon iPhone, which fixes a security vulnerability with certificate validation.

This latest release arrives just 10 days after Apple plugged the jailbreakme PDF exploit with the release of iOS 4.3.4.

Plug into iTunes and check for updates to get it. As always, if you’re Jailbroken already, stay away or you’ll lose your Jailbreak.

[Apple knowledge base article]

 

Amazon updates Kindle app, adds support for newspapers and magazines with high resolution images [Updated: Nook and Google Books too]

Amazon has released an update to its Kindle app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The update removes the Kindle Store button from the app to meet Apple’s terms and conditions. What is more interesting is that you can now read over 100 newspapers and magazines with high resolution color images.

• This update removes the Kindle Store button from the app.


• Read over 100 newspapers and magazines including The Economist and Reader’s Digest with high resolution color images. Visit the Kindle Store to subscribe to a newspaper or magazine and have each edition automatically delivered, or purchase individual issues.


• Customers who receive newspapers and magazines on Kindle can download recent editions to their iOS devices from Archived Items. Many newspapers and magazines are supported, and more are on the way.


• Share quotes and passages with your friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter while reading.

Kindle is my app of choice for reading books, newspapers and magazines on my iPad. I find it a much better experience than iBooks and the Kindle Store has a lot more content too. It is a shame that the Kindle Store button had to go but Amazon would have had to give Apple 30% to offer content through in-app purchases!

[Free – iTunes link]

UPDATE: Nook and Google Books apps have also been updated to remove links to their external stores.

Angry Birds for iPhone, iPad updated with 15 new levels

Angry Birds has been updated with 15 new levels.

Mining and Dining with the burrowing piggies continues! With a bottomless appetite, the bad piggies have burrowed deep in underground caverns to hide the eggs they stole from you. Use the landscape and geology to your advantage to chase the pigs out of their hiding holes, gather rare gems, and retrieve the eggs!

With the release of Angry Birds Rio, I was expecting new content on the original Angry Birds to quickly cease. I’m so glad I was wrong.

Angry Birds is available on the iPhone for $0.99 on the iPhone and $1.99 on the iPad.

[iPhone iTunes link] [iPad 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.

How to (Not) Get Hidden iPad Facebook Application

If you’re not currently jailbroken or have no plans of ever doing so, there’s no point of reading the following unless the purpose is to simply just peak your curiosity. If it’s the total opposite, meaning your onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" target="_blank" href="http://www.ipadngravy.com">iPad is already jailbroken or you’re ready to do so at any moment within the next five minutes, please continue on.

Facebook’s onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" target="_blank" title="iPad" href="http://www.ipadngravy.com">iPad application is long overdue and is still not available for iPad users despite it being over a year since the original’s iPad launch. Thankfully, the application is target="_blank" href="http://www.iphonealley.com/application-news/facebook-ipad-app-hiding-in-the-iphone">currently in the works based off of some deep digging on onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/techcrunch.com/2011/07/25/facebooks-hidden-ipad-app/');" href="http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/25/facebooks-hidden-ipad-app/">TechCrunch’s part. The new iPad, beta application (could) can be downloaded using the following steps, made public by onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/thenextweb.com/facebook/2011/07/25/how-to-access-the-secret-facebook-ipad-app/');" target="_blank" href="http://thenextweb.com/facebook/2011/07/25/how-to-access-the-secret-facebook-ipad-app/">TNW:

It may be in your best interest to read the whole article before doing the following./> 1.Ensure you’ve got the latest update of Facebook’s iPhone app on your iPad/> 2. Back up your iPad on your computer/> 3. Jailbreak your iPad at your own risk. Various tutorials can be found for doing so./> 4. In Cydia, search for the iFile app and install it. (I thought iFile was a paid Cydia application now)/> 5. Open iFile and navigate to var > mobile > applications > directory./> 6. Open the iFile settings using the cog wheel icon at the bottom of the screen and switch ‘Application Names’ to ‘on’. This will allow you to see which folders relate to which apps./> 7. Find the Facebook folder and open it. Inside that, open Facebook.app./> 8. Find the ‘Info.plist’ file and tap on it. Choose ‘Property List Viewer’./> 9. Find the ‘UIDeviceFamily’ option and select it./> 10. Change the value here from ’1′ to ’2′ and tap ‘Done’./> 11. Reboot your iPad and then open the Facebook app.

Well, sorry to put you through the aforementioned steps only to find out that you won’t be able to access the new iPad application, despite going through the long process. It seems that Facebook has managed to stop users from doing so. According to TechCrunch, newcomers are being turned away at the login screen while other users, who have previously exploited the beta before Facebook’s knowing, are still being able to use the application without flaw (apart from the bugginess).

So, again, if you’re not jailbroken, you probably don’t want to go through the trouble of the jailbreaking and installing an application through Cydia just to be turned down. As a disclaimer: the above does not work! There, now anyone who does the above can’t hold me accountable for their anger. Ok?

[Via onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/techcrunch.com/2011/07/25/facebook-ipad-app-login-not-working/');" target="_blank" href="http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/25/facebook-ipad-app-login-not-working/">TechCrunch and onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/thenextweb.com/facebook/2011/07/25/how-to-access-the-secret-facebook-ipad-app/');" target="_blank" href="http://thenextweb.com/facebook/2011/07/25/how-to-access-the-secret-facebook-ipad-app/">TNW]

Facebook For iPad Secretly Released

style="text-align: center;">href="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/a2.png">class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22670" title="a2" src="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/a2.png" alt="" width="512" height="682" />

We’ve all been waiting like crazy for Facebook to release a proper iPad app — but it turns out they did, they just hid it deep inside the href="http://itunes.apple.com/app/facebook/id284882215?mt=8">most recent update. As href="http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/25/facebooks-hidden-ipad-app/">spotted by TechCrunch, the code for Facebook for iPad app lies hidden inside the iPhone app, there for anyone with sufficient skills to access.

And it’s not just a scaled up version of the iPhone one, either. It’s a complete redesign from the ground up, with a whole new interface. TechCrunch has confirmed that this is the iPad app that Facebook is working on — but we have no idea why it was bundled away inside the iPhone version.

So, what do you do if you want to try it yourself? The technique to access it isn’t too hard, if you have some jailbreaking experience. href="http://www.redmondpie.com/official-facebook-app-for-ipad-heres-how-to-install-it-right-now-tutorial/">Redmond Pie has the complete run through of how to do it, but as always, tweaking this stuff happens at your own risk.

Go Brawler-Bowling With Tekken Bowl On iPhone and iPad

href="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/mzl.sdznmvao.480x480-75.jpg">class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22697" title="mzl.sdznmvao.480x480-75" src="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/mzl.sdznmvao.480x480-75.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="360" />

On your never-ending quest to become the King of The Iron Fist, why not take some time out to go bowling? 2000′s href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tekken_Tag_Tournament">Tekken Tag Tournament had a bowling minigame called “Tekken Bowl” which has now been released as href="http://itunes.apple.com/app/tekken-bowl/id446308836?mt=8">a free iOS game.

That’s right, it’s bowling, but with the Tekken cast. The initial crop of reviews seem to be pretty good, mostly due to the fact that it evokes some pretty heavy nostalgia in people who played the original.

Here’s the full description:

TEKKEN BOWL

The popular Tekken bowling mini-game Tekken Bowl, is back and better than ever! Tekken Bowl brings action-packed bowling excitement with a punch! Ever wanted to bowl with a Panda? Well, now you can!

Tekken Bowl Features:/> - Test your bowling skills with 3 characters, each with their own unique skills and personality/> - Puzzle mode adds addictive fun with dozens of different physics based puzzle stages/> - Find out who’s the ultimate champion in pass and play mode/> - Game Center Achievement Support and in-game medals to collect

If you’ve ever wanted a bowling game made up of the most ruthless brawlers the world’s ever seen, I guess this is your best chance — until they release UFC: King of the Pins edition.

[via href="http://kotaku.com/5824159/tekken-bowl-comes-to-iphone-ipad-totally-free">Kotaku]

What’s New in iOS 5 Beta 4?

href="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/nuance9to5.png">class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22673" title="nuance9to5" src="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/nuance9to5.png" alt="" width="538" height="236" />

Friday saw the release of iOS 5 beta 4 to developers, and everyone promptly broke their NDAs in order to get information out about the crazy new features hidden within. Major credit has to go to href="http://9to5mac.com/">9to5 Mac for doing the vast majority of the legwork, exposing all the crazy new content.

Anyone else counting down until we see this thing get a public release?

Apple Releases iOS 4.3.5

href="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Screen-Shot-2011-07-25-at-1.28.02-PM.jpg">class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22689" title="Screen Shot 2011-07-25 at 1.28.02 PM" src="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Screen-Shot-2011-07-25-at-1.28.02-PM.jpg" alt="" width="604" height="278" />

Just days after the security hole patching iOS 4.3.4, iOS 4.3.5 has been sent out. A characteristically minor update, it fixes a single security hole that Apple obviously thought was worth the effort of patching:

iOS 4.3.5 Software Update

Fixes a security vulnerability with certificate validation.

Head on over to iTunes to update — unless you’re jailbroken, in which case hold on to official word from the Dev-Team.

[via href="http://www.macrumors.com/2011/07/25/apple-releases-ios-4-3-5-to-address-security-issue-with-certificate-validation/">MacRumors]

Apps Get Slammed By Apple Over In-App Purchases

With Apple’s controversial new in-app purchases guidelines kicking in this month, the fallout has already started to hit the app store. The href="http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/23/did-apple-eject-google-books-from-the-app-store-for-violating-terms/">Google Books app is now strangely missing from the app store, rumor is because they wouldn’t meet Apple’s new rules. The href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903999904576466541528618056.html">WSJ is reporting that both their own app and ebook seller Kobo have stopped offering in-app purchases in order to keep their apps in the app store but not hand over 30% of revenue to Apple. For both of those services, purchases and subscriptions must be bought online, and then they’ll work in the app.

TechCrunch is also reporting that href="http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/25/ipad-books-hobbled/">the Nook and Kindle apps no longer have access to their web store from within the app, and you cannot create an account for these services inside the app.

Win 1 of 3 copies of Comic Book! for iPhone and iPad

Have you ever dreamed of starring in your very own comic book? Thanks to href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comicbook!/id436114747?mt=8">Comic Book! for both the iPhone and iPad, that can easily become a reality. The app transforms you or perhaps even your pet in a superhero or villain if that’s more your style. There are 30 unique page layouts, customizable comic photo filters, borders, bevels and anything an aspiring superhero would need. Here at everythingiCafe, we’re giving away three copies of ComicBook! To enter, head down to the comments section and simply let us what you name the title of your comic book. That’s it! We’ll randomly select three people on Saturday to win Comic Book!

class="wp-caption-text">Enter to win Comic Book! for iPad and iPhone

Note: Since we’re mere mortals, it’s important that you include your email address so we can contact you in the event you are selected as a winner.

Rumor: AT&T prepping for mid-September iPhone 5 release

The rumors continue to swirl around the iPhone 5. BGR’s sources say that AT&T has begun communicating launch plans internally for the iPhone 5. Employees throughout AT&T are encouraged to finish up any employee training for an influx of foot traffic in September. href="http://www.macrumors.com/2011/07/23/apple-retail-increasing-staffing-in-u-s-for-august-september-too/">MacRumors reports that Apple has started to increase staffing, going as far as to invite previous employees to return between August 15th and September 15th.

href="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/22965691_4727d04827.jpg">class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22681" title="22965691_4727d04827" src="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/22965691_4727d04827.jpg" alt="iPhone 5 release" width="500" height="375" />

id="more-22679">

Both reports indicate an increase in staff, but they also speculating that the href="http://www.everythingicafe.com/tag/iphone-5/">iPhone 5 is the reasoning behind AT&T and Apple increasing staff.  Certainly makes sense. If you have September in the iPhone 5 release pool, you were probably feeling pretty good  about it even prior to this report.

Source: href="http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/25/att-preps-for-early-to-mid-september-iphone-5-launch/">BGR

Facebook iPad App Hiding in the iPhone

What ever happened to that Facebook app for the onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" target="_blank" title="iPad" href="http://www.ipadngravy.com">iPad that was mentioned months ago? It’s hiding in the latest version of the iPhone app. TechCrunch discovered a hidden code for the iPad app while poking around version 3.4.4 of the Facebook iPhone application.

While the dodgy href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/facebook-to-revamp-its-app-following-significant-criticism">app for the iPhone was met with negative criticism, TechCrunch says the iPad version is “very good.” The navigation got a thumbs up, and the tech blog seemed to like the left-side navigation system, overlay menus, and photo features. It’s still unclear when the iPad app will be officially launched, but people with jailbroken devices can start checking it out if they know what they’re doing.

Over a month ago onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/facebook-readies-an-ipad-app-finally/');" target="_blank" href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/facebook-readies-an-ipad-app-finally/">The New York Times was briefed about the upcoming Facebook app, which was personally being overseen by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg later confirmed that Facebook had several launches planned in the coming weeks. With the discovery of the hidden code, it’s probably safe to assume that a release is not too far away.

Check out the Facebook onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/techcrunch.com/2011/07/25/facebook-ipad-app-pictures/');" target="_blank" href="http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/25/facebook-ipad-app-pictures/">iPad app gallery.

Fake Chinese Apple Stores Shut Down

class="alignnone" src="http://cdn.everythingicafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_6533.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" />

Remember those href="http://www.everythingicafe.com/check-out-this-incredible-fake-apple-store-from-china/2011/07/20/">awesomely fake Chinese Apple stores from last week? It seems that word got around, and the city hashref="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-25/china-finds-five-unauthorized-apple-stores-in-kunming-city-shuts-two.html"> shut down at least two of the five stores in Kunming. While they haven’t been directly targeted for ripping off Apple’s style, instead the authorities say that the stores were operating without a business license.

The city claims that Apple didn’t contact them, but that they did this under their own steam, though it’s not hard to imagine that there may have been some pressure from outside sources on this one.

With so few official Apple Stores in China, it’s not surprising that resellers would pop up in other cities, with varying degrees of officialness.

New and updated iPhone and iPad apps for Monday, July 25

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!

Meatball Marathon: Being a superhero was Snacky G’s dream. He was pretty passionate about saving people, but equally as passionate about junk food. That’s where his dilemma came in. After much thought, he finally came up with a way: he’d take the two things that meant the most to him and bring them together in one beautiful combination. He hatched a brilliant plan to be the first superhero that would save the world from unhealthy junk food by eating it all himself! [$0.99 - iTunes link]

Snap Camera!: Add notes to your photos! Just snap a photo, write as many notes as you want, move them around with your finger and it’ll be saved with the notes overlaid on it. Now with a new UI. [$0.99 for iPhone - iTunes link]

Photo Hunt HD: Find the 5 differences between the two photos before time runs out. [$1.99 for iPad - iTunes link]

Word Chaos: A new fun and addictive word scramble game that uses Official Alphabet Photography letters featuring landmarks from all over the world! It’s a new twist on a word game that uses the left and right side of the brain! [Free for iPhone and iPad - iTunes link]

Eco Mania: Hungry little bins are starving and haven’t eaten in days. They need your help! Have fun and save the environment. [Free 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.

Destroy birds in Bird Smash Pro for iPhone and iPad

Bird Smash Pro, an iPhone and iPad game by Y. Yoon, has been updated.

Your village was destroyed by ruthless birds. As the last remaining blue pig, you must seek the revenge! Destroy as many birds as possible!

Bird Smash Pro is available on the iPhone and iPad for $0.99. Screenshots and video available 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.

Have Apple’s closed apps killed Google’s open web?

Roger McNamee of Elevation Partners — who previously made headlines before they sold Palm to HP — is back with some interesting views on how Apple’s App Store might have already killed Google’s open web.

McNamee asserts that search, which makes Google billions in advertising revenue on the desktop, has been reduced to 1% of mobile activity, effectively obliterating it as a business. He blames/credits that to Apple and their App Store model, where they present the internet not in open, standards based web pages but closed, proprietary native applications.

The open web was too wild for the mainstream, MacNamee says, which makes Apple’s iPhone and iPad far more accessible, approachable, and comfortable. (He also thinks iPad is the most important device since the IBM PC and urges everyone to get one.)

McNamee doesn’t seem to be casting Apple as the villain of the open web, or the hero of the app mainstream, but rather both, or rather still commenting on the re-closing of the web.

That’s something we’ve been speaking about a lot on our podcasts lately. Compuserve, Prodigy, AOL, etc. all started as mainstream-friendly, walled-gardens built on top of the internet. Eventually, they had to give users real email and real web access, and the walled gardens fell.

Now, however, the App Store has repackaged it again. And Facebook has erected a new, more social, but just as walled a garden. And Google is having to walk the line with Android and Plus and other services to provide a good experience while still staying as open as their original philosophy allowed.

MacNamee thinks it’s done in Mobile. Google’s model lost. I’m not so sure. “It is what it is” is far too easy and final for the turbulence we’re still undergoing. Apple is all in on open HTML5 as a second development platform, for example, so just like Google they’re embracing what they feel is the best of both models. That might be the new normal. We might finally be recognizing one model doesn’t work for everyone, and a combination of the two is more than the sum of it’s parts — or its soundbites.

Video after the break.

[Fortune via Android Central]

Netflix for iPhone, iPad updated to support iOS 4.3.4 (and iOS 5!)

Netflix released a tiny update, ostensibly to add compatibility for the recent iOS 4.3.4 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (and iOS 4.2.9 for Verizon iPhone) firmwares, yet it seems to have addressed a huge pain point for developers as well — compatibility with iOS 5.

So if you’ve been suffering without your Netflix fix, head on over to the App Store and tap the update button.

[Free - iTunes Store link]

Mobile Nations: Monday Brief for July 25, 2011

Netflix updates its Android clients, now supports 24 devices And it’s working just fine on a bunch of tablets Editorial: My dog’s better than your dog — but only to me	Leaked: Tutorial videos for the BlackBerry Bold 9790 "Bellagio" Android App Player for the BlackBerry PlayBook leaked RIM adds JayCut to the acquisition list BlackBerry Bold 9900 dummy units begin to arrive at Vodafone UK locations
Mobile Nations 3: Full House!	Kindle App and HP MovieStore now available for TouchPad Leno, Fallon, and Glee’s Lea Michele enlisted for TouchPad advertising Life on webOS and webOS only – robbed and getting comfortable with just the TouchPad
Apple releases iOS 5 beta 4 via OTA update iOS 5 beta 4 gallery and iOS 5 beta 4 OTA update how-to! Apple releases OS X Lion, new MacBook Air, more TiPb TV 20: Bond boat bash (iPhone + iPad waterproof case showdown)	Windows Phone Weather App Roundup Apple’s patent battle against HTC causing OEMs to reconsider Windows Phone New video of Nokia Sea Ray prototype running WP7

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Stay in touch with Isotoner’s SmarTouch

The iPhone and every other smartphone on the market today are developed to work with our fingers. The problem is that this works great for every season except for winter (and particularly cold autumns) when we it is nearly impossible to get out of the house or office without wearing gloves. The problem is that operating the touch screen of any smartphone including the iPhone, becomes very difficult. At times it boarders around frustration induced rage! That is why SmarTouch from Isotoner is bound to make our lives slightly more bearable when the cold sets in. It seeks to give us the ability to operate the iPhone and keep our hands warm, which neatly solves the dilemma of a tech-geek who hates the cold.

 
The SmarTouch gloves work by embroiling the thumb and index finger with a conductive thread that conveys an electrical impulse to the touch screen. This increases the level of accuracy when you are navigating through your iPhone and reduces the chances of actually have to try multiple times to execute a particular instruction. In addition, it also features a non-slip palm and is water repellent. Overall, the gloves are also very flexible and comfortable. This is important because when it comes to winter wear it is not easy to simply compromise on functionality.
 
The SmarTouch gloves come in a variety of colors and sizes for both men and women. In addition, you can buy them from a variety of stores including Amazon, Target and Wal-Mart. Prices range from around $19 – $32. Overall, this is a great investment because you can use it not just for the iPhone or iPad but also for a variety of other gadgets and purposes. The Isotoner SmarTouch just might make your winter iPhone/iPad experience the best one you have ever had.

Facebook for iPad found hidden in the latest iPhone app update?

Facebook for iPad has been uncovered in the recently updated Facebook for iPhone. A twitter user discovered a hack to make it visible — editing a file on your iPad to change the UIDeviceFamily ID in the apps plist file to get the iPad interface up and running app, but you do need to have a jailbroken iPad to be able to do this.

It is not just the iPhone version blown up to fill the iPad’s screen either. This is a totally different interface with slide out navigation menus and a separate chat menu too. Techcrunch has spoken with one of its sources who claim that this is the actual Facebook app for iPad and it will be officially launched soon.

I have tested the app with my iPad and it does seem to work very well. It looks and feels totally different to the iPhone version of the app and navigation is very well done. I also tested uploading photographs and it is seamless and offers access to your photo library as well as the camera on the iPad 2. It does have a few little rough edges that will need to be ironed out but that, sadly, won’t come as a shock to users of the beleaguered Facebook for iPhone app!

It will be interesting to see if Facebook expedite the launch of its iPad app now that this has leaked out.

[@AeroEchelon via Techcrunch]

Apple’s New iPad 2 Commercial “We’ll Always”

Apple has yet another excellent iPad 2 commercial. The theme being we’ll never stop doing the things we love, but the iPad allows us to do them in amazing new ways.

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What’s amazing is how they are able to communicate so much in a clear, concise manner in just 30 seconds.

Apple airs new iPad 2 commercial — We’ll Always

Apple is continuing their series of Peter Coyote voiced iPad 2 commercials, this time with We’ll Always, which shows why “We’ll never stop doing the things we love, but with the iPad we’ll do them in amazing new ways.”

We’ll never stop sharing our memories or getting lost in a good book. We’ll always cook dinner and cheer for our favorite team. We’ll still go to meetings, make home movies and learn new things. But how we do all this will never be the same.

No “magical” mentions but Photos, iBooks, a recipe app, MLB, a video conferencing app, iMovie, and an educational writing app get the spotlight. It’s another solid spot, filled with “Kodak moments” that show why Apple is moving tens of millions of these devices through a combination of brand, build, and pitch-perfect advertising.

Video after the break.

ZENandTECH 9: Avoidance

Georgia and Rene talk viewer tips on perfectionism when it comes to email and task management, including “getting one thing done”, and then tackle avoidance — why we do it, what we get out of it, and what it costs us. This is ZENandTECH!

Will the next generation iPod touch have 3G data connectivity?

An interesting iPod touch screen shot has been uncovered from the just released iOS 5 beta 4. The screen shot shows a toggle switch for cellular connectivity. Could this mean that the iPod touch will be getting a 3G data option when it is refreshed later this year?

The iPod touch would benefit hugely from data connectivity, especially with the introduction of iMessage in iOS 5. An always on messaging device, without the need for a costly voice and text plan would definitely be a hit for parents with younger children.

Personally I think this is just some code left over from the iPhone version of the beta and nothing more than that. However it would make a lot of sense for Apple to offer it as an option!

[9to5 Mac]