Readdle’s PDF Converter Closes a File Compatibility Gap

There is one file format that is universally compatible on the majority of devices and can serve a variety of unique uses: PDF. Readdle has recognized that with its acclaimed PDF Expert iOS app and the release of its new PDF Converter app this week, which can take just about anything you throw at it and transform it into a PDF file.

From documents (with iWork, Pages, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint support) to photos, PDF Converter will gladly provide a PDF after the conversion. A web page – effectively saving internet content for offline viewing, contacts, and copied content are included in that list, though it goes impressively more extensive than that. PDF Converter is added to the list in the iOS “Open In…” function and through that, documents, remotely-stored content (such as through MobileMe iDisk or Dropbox), the developer’s ReaddleDocs, and practically everything else that presents the option can be converted into a “professional PDF document.”

It could not be easier to save an email in all its glory since a few taps will have both emails and attachments can become a PDF, where they appear in their original formatting, for single-file sharing. Speaking of sharing, AirPrint support is built into the app for wireless printing. PDF files can be emailed directly from the app. Of course, files can be saved for future use.

No more worrying about file restrictions and incompatibility across different computers, tablets, and phones with the ultimately-professionial and utilized PDF format. Readdle’s PDF Converter provides users with an effective solution to create a PDF from practically any source using apps they’re accustom to.

$6.99 for the onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" target="_blank" title="iPad" href="http://www.ipadngravy.com">iPad.

[onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/itunes.apple.com/us/app/pdf-converter-save-documents/id447444215?mt=8#');" target="_blank" href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pdf-converter-save-documents/id447444215?mt=8#">App Store link]

Daily Tip: How to tethered jailbreak iOS 5 beta 3 via Redsn0w 0.9.8b2

Since Apple recently released iOS 5 beta 3, you may be wondering whether or not you can jailbreak as you could with beta 1 and beta 2. Fortunately, beta 3 is also jailbreakable.

But again, we’ll warn you that beta software has its own qualms to begin with so if you’re not comfortable with a few more bugs, we urge you to stay away. Also keep in mind a lot of jailbreak tweaks and apps have not yet been updated to support iOS 5. If you absolutely need to get your beta jailbreak on, follow along for another walk-through.

If your device is not listed above, please do not attempt to jailbreak your device. So yes, iPad 2 owners will have to wait or jailbreak iPad via JailbreakMe on iOS 4.3.3.

Have you jailbroken iOS 5 beta 3 yet? Let us know your results and about any bugs you find. If you’re having issues, don’t be shy! Ask for help in our official TiPb Jailbreak & Unlock forums.

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…)

Apple introduces volume purchasing for business

Apple has sent out a notice to developers that they’re introducing volume purchasing for business. This is something I asked about recently, after Apple mentioned that Final Cut Pro X would be available in volume, and it’s good to see Apple’s not keeping it for themselves. In fact, it looks like they’re going even further.

Get ready today. Business customers will soon be able to buy your apps in volume. Click through the latest Paid Applications Agreement so that your apps will be offered for sale when the Volume Purchase Program is available to businesses.

Custom B2B Apps

Through the Volume Purchase Program, you’ll be able to sell custom B2B apps to your business customers. Custom B2B apps provide tailored solutions to address specific business needs. Get a head start on developing custom B2B apps today.

While we don’t know how this will work yet, based on previous information Apple will likely do something along the lines of providing a set of redemption codes for any purchase of 20 copies or more of a given app. It’s also possible that discounts might be on the table (though whether those will be discounts based on volume, or just educational discounts, I don’t know.)

Customization options apparently include branding, configuration, and security, but also require a minimum price tag of around $10.

Once again, it’s great to see Apple experimenting with new and better App Store models.

G-Form Extreme Portfolio iPad case available for pre-order

For the iPad, there are numerous cases and most of which provide basic protection from scratches, smudges or a light drop. However, for those of want extreme protection, there are relatively fewer options. By extreme we mean, the worst possible accidents including a fall from a multi-story building or having to endure the crushing weight of large objects. For the extreme user, a simple protection is equal to no protection because the iPad in itself is a delicate device. The iPad does not come especially hardened and you cannot get a specific configuration. The only choice you have is getting a strong enough case to protect it from the worst possible damage. Fortunately, there is now a viable solution for those seeking the best protection: the G-Form Extreme Portfolio.
 

This case will protect the iPad, iPad 2, and a variety of Android tablets, including the Motorola Xoom, HP TouchSmart, Acer Iconia and the Samsung Galaxy. Thus, it is perfect for a virtually every type of tablet PC user. Users will be able to choose from two colors: black yellow or black. In addition, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Since the casing protects a multiple devices (as long as they have a 10” screen), it can be easily interchanged and is relatively future-proof as well. Therefore, this casing is certainly going to be a long-term investment, which is not the case with most of the casings in the market right now.
 
Specifications
 
Height: 11 inches (279.4 mm)
Width: 9 inches (228.6 mm)
Depth: 1 inch (25.4 mm)
Weight: 1.25 pounds (567 g)
 
Inner Device Holder Dimensions:
 
Height: 10 inches (254 mm)
Width: 8 inches (203.2 mm)
 
The main form of protection is provided via Reactive Protection Technology, which is a combination of PORON XRD material, and G-Form technology. While this may sound complex, it is important to note that the company itself has released some very innovative protective casings for a variety of electronic devices.  The company also takes pride in its various patented features.
 
However, what matters to the actual user is the fact that this case is both lightweight and water-resistant and features an internal layer of polycarbonate. In addition, there is also an extra pocket for documents.
 
There are two basic configurations when using the case: the A-frame configuration, which can be used in either portrait or landscape mode; the reverse zip configuration, where the front cover can be reverse zipped behind the tablet to provide double layers of RPT protection.
 
The price of the G-From Extreme Portfolio is $79.95 and is currently available for pre-order. We would recommend this for users who work in hazardous environments like construction or manufacturing. However, if you mostly use your iPad in the house or at a typical office environment, then this might seem unnecessary.  If you are mellow user then a simple cover will get the job done. Of course, if you are prone to extreme accidents, then you might want to strongly consider this product.

Is Apple Adjusting International Prices? [updated]

If you’ve ever bought an Apple product outside of the USA, you know the prices can be devastatingly high — far more than warranted by the exchange rate. In fact, with a comparatively weak US dollar, buying apps and hardware internationally can be a major wallet drain.

We’re now hearing rumors that Apple may be moving to redress this imbalance by shifting the prices of both their hardware and their software.

9to5 Mac has heard that Apple retailers around the world will see a “modest-significant price drop” on models, and in some cases this is more than the equivalent of a $100 discount.

Meanwhile, MacStories thinks the current iTunes Connect downtime may be to deal with a similar problem with iTunes prices, which see some nations having to pay a more than 100% premium on content.

UPDATE: This has been confirmed by MacRumors, and here are the new prices for a $0.99 app:

UK: £0.59 -> £0.69
Australia: AU$1.19 -> AU$0.99
Japan: 115 -> 85 Yen
Mexico: $10 -> $12
Switzerland: 1.10Fr -> 1.00Fr
Norway: 6.00Kr -> 7.00Kr

How Much Does Apple Actually Make from the App Store?

Apple has been pretty open with everyone on how many applications have been downloaded from the app store. Progressively, as each major figure is reached, announcements are made. Last week, href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/app-store-reaches-15-billion-downloads">Apple announced that a total of more than 15 billion applications had been downloaded from the app store – a large milestone for a retailer such as Apple or for an company at all, to say the least. What Apple isn’t too open about, is exactly how much profit they make from the total sales. Analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray has taken Apple’s quietness as a cue and has estimated that amount.

According to Gene Munster, the average cost of an application on the app store is $1.44, of which 70% goes to developers, 1% goes towards application storage, 16% goes to credit card companies and only 13% goes to Apple. So basically, Apple only makes $0.18 on a $1.44 application while credit card companies and developers are making more./> href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/how-much-does-apple-actually-make-from-the-app-store/attachment/chart-2" rel="attachment wp-att-20309">src="http://www.iphonealley.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/chart.jpg" alt="" title="chart" width="610" height="458" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20309" />/> Munster estimates that since the launch of the app store in 2008, the 15 billion application downloads have brought in a total profit of $292 million for Apple after other fees have been deducted ($538 million originally, $246 million deducted because of fees for storing and developing free applications). It’s not too shabby for Apple, but it’s wondrous that Apple is giving such a large cut of the sales to developers and that credit card companies are making an additional three percent on each app sale.

Apple yet has to release their actual profit figures, after expenses and all, but until then, Munster’s estimates seem to be pretty accurate. And, of course, a company as broad and important (target="_blank" href="http://www.iphonealley.com/news/apple-ranks-as-21st-biggest-retailer-according-to-us-sales">21st largest retailer) could not survive on that kind of money – the app store not only brings in a portion of Apple’s total annual numbers, but also attracts the millions of iPhone, iPod Touch and onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" href="http://www.ipadngravy.com">iPad customers that keep Apple alive.

Apollo: Browser+Facebook chat optimized for Google Reader

VoyagerApps have updated their iPad web browser, Apollo, with optimization for Google Reader.

Before Apollo, you could only browse the single-column iPhone layout of Google Reader on the iPad. So we tweaked the Google Reader web app in Apollo and changed it to a two-pane layout, just like the Email app. You can browse folders and titles on the left pane, and when you tap on it, content shows on the right pane – perfect for iPad.

Apollo: Browser+Facebook chat is available for free. Screenshots after the break.

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.