iPad By Davis: “Rare iPhone 4 prototype appears on eBay complete with strange logo on the back panel” plus 19 more |
- Rare iPhone 4 prototype appears on eBay complete with strange logo on the back panel
- Build your cognitive skills with ThinkO for iPhone and iPad
- Poll: Now that Nikon has gone Android, does Apple need to get into the camera business?
- Weekly Photo Contest: Silhouettes!
- Best back-to-school apps for iPhone and iPad
- iOS 6 preview: Maps gets turn-by-turn navigation
- Closing arguments begin in Apple vs Samsung patent trial
- Introducing the official iMore Forums app for iPhone and iPad!
- Review: Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4590 a low-cost corporate MFP
- InstallFree Nexus brings Microsoft Office to iPads via the cloud
- Latest iPad Mini Rumor: Production Ramping Up in September for October Release
- Rumored Verizon blackout dates line up with rumored September 21 iPhone 5 launch date
- Court preparing Apple-Samsung jury for deliberations
- How to fix a blown earpiece speaker in a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4
- Hands on with Skype photo sharing for iPhone, iPad
- Everything Everywhere getting early LTE in the UK, but will they get an LTE iPhone to go with it?
- Band of the Day for iPad Updated – Adds Similar Bands and Liking Bands
- Twitter app makers trying to figure out the future
- New PowerShot cameras extend Canon's long-zoom lineup
- Why an LTE iPhone will mean the most to Verizon
| Rare iPhone 4 prototype appears on eBay complete with strange logo on the back panel Posted: 22 Aug 2012 02:28 AM PDT
The eBay description states that the device is a very rare Apple iPhone 4 prototype and has a storage capacity of 32GB. The back panel is not screwed to the shell of the device like the final retail version of the iPhone 4; this prototype uses a back clamp system which has been broken so the back panel falls off very easily. We have seen a few prototype iPhone models before but not many that are still operational. This one has had a battery replaced but does still turn on and is fully operational. When we say operational, don't expect to be able to make and receive calls or upgrade it to iOS 5. It only runs Apple's test software suite which is known as SwitchBoard. If you want to get your hands on a piece of unique Apple history, you can make a bid of $4500 or more. If you really want to make sure you aren't outbid you can contact the seller with an offer of $10,000 and it's yours. 
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| Build your cognitive skills with ThinkO for iPhone and iPad Posted: 21 Aug 2012 11:45 PM PDT
ThinkO for iPhone and iPad is a mind challenging puzzle game that focuses on your cognitive skills. The goal is simple: to move the rows and columns of rings to match the same colored squares. The challenging part is that every time you make a move, more squares start appearing, so if you aren't efficient with your choices, you will trap yourself with too many squares. Concentration, problem solving, processing speed and memory are all required for being successful at playing ThinkO. As the game evolves, the levels become more challenging, requiring more sophisticated thinking skills. For example, as you play the game, large rings will appear in the levels. The rings are a bit of a hindrance because each one takes up the space of four squares, thus requiring you to move the two rows or columns containing it at a time. To get rid of a ring, you must make a sufficient amount of matches that are the same color as the ring.
In addition to the above mentioned rings, ThinkO also has special rings that will help you in the game. They become available as you progress and can also be purchased as in app purchased. Here's a list of the different rings available:
Although I haven't yet progressed very far in the game, I am really enjoying ThinkO. Puzzle games are my favorite because they require you to think, and ThinkO is no exception! ThinkO is definitely a great time-waster, but don't think of it as waste of time to play it -- by playing ThinkO, you are exercising your brain and improving your thinking skills! $1.99 - Download Now
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| Poll: Now that Nikon has gone Android, does Apple need to get into the camera business? Posted: 21 Aug 2012 10:27 PM PDT
Nikon has announced a new Coolpix 5800c digital pocket camera, but one with a twist -- it runs the Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system.. That means not only can you take photos, but once you've taken them, you can do pretty much anything with them you could do with smartphone photos, including processing them and sharing them to your favorite social networks. Now the iPhone 4S already has a pretty great camera, and who knows what the iPhone 5 will be packing, so do dedicated point-and-shoots even matter anymore? And this Nikon will be running a relatively old version of Android, quite a bit behind the current Android 4.1 Jelly Bean that all our friends over at Android Central are raving about. So... should this even matter to Apple? I don't see Apple licensing out iOS to Canon anytime soon, but I don't see them making a traditional, dedicated camera any more either. That's the past and Apple is all about the future. We asked our resident product rendering expert, John Anastasiadis, what he thought. The image above is what he came up with -- using an iPhone as the "brain" for a camera attachment. It would slide onto a next generation iPhone and add profoundly better optics to the already excellent internet connectivity and interface. Apple's late co-founder, Steve Jobs famously said he wanted to revolutionize photography the way he had computers, phones, tablets, and music. Did he mean making a camera, or making Apple's existing digital devices better at photography than conventional cameras? Or something else entirely? What do you think? Now that Nikon has gone Android, does Apple need to get into the camera business? Would you buy an iOS-powered camera from Apple? An iPhone camera attachment? Neither? Something else? Vote up top and let me know the details below! 
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| Weekly Photo Contest: Silhouettes! Posted: 21 Aug 2012 06:40 PM PDT
It's time to announce this week's photo contest -- Silhouettes! Last week, we focused on shadows and many of our (very awesome) entries were technically silhouettes, so it was only natural for us to move specifically to silhouettes for this week! silhouettes are often times very moody, dramatic, and/or romantic and are classic genre of photography. Although classic, in continues to be a favorite style -- and we want to see your style! The prize: Glif tripod mount and stand!
In addition to a thumbs up from the iMore crew and all of us yelling about how great of a photo star you are, the winner of this week's photography contest will receive a Glif tripod mount and stand! The rulesThe rules of entry are very simple. The photo must have been taken with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (we'll check the EXIF data of the original file to verify) and any edits must have been done with an iPhone or iPad app. No Photoshop CS6! If you have external lens accessories you are more than welcome to use them. You can submit as many photos as you'd like, but remember, this is a contest, so make sure you submit your best work! ResourcesNow, before you run off to take your photo, remember that it's not technical skill alone that will claim this prize. Even if you're not the best photographer (yet!), a great eye and a great subject can still get you the win. However, a little help can never hurt, so make sure you check out these articles from our iPhone photography series for some tips.
How to submitSubmitting your photos is easy. just head over to the iMore Photography Forum and post your photos to the official contest thread. Don't forget to state which apps, if any, you used to edit your photo! That's it! Now go out and shoot! 
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| Best back-to-school apps for iPhone and iPad Posted: 21 Aug 2012 04:52 PM PDT
The new school year is upon us, which means it's time to go back to school and hit the books! Lucky for us, the iPhone and iPad are excellent devices, not only for study time but right in the classroom. From storing important files, to learning math and chemistry, to writing papers, to taking notes, and even staying safe, there are many apps in the App Store to help you go back to school and get your learning on. And iMore is here to show you the very A+ selections, the perfect 4.0s -- the very best apps for education. Dropbox for iPhone and iPad
Before we jump into the education-specific apps, we must bring up Dropbox for iPhone and iPad, the app that everyone should have and that many of the apps mentioned in this article will integrate with. Students these days have dozens of files that they have to save and reference throughout the semester, and Dropbox is the perfect app for keeping these files not only organized, but accessible from any device. A free Dropbox account offers 2 GB of storage which is more than enough for a student. Seriously, Dropbox is a must-have -- get it now.
See also:iStudiez Pro for iPhone and iPad
iStudiez is an iPhone and iPad app that is perfect for keeping track of your class schedule, due dates, homework assignments, and more. As an important date approaches, iStudiez will send you notifications to remind you about the project or assignment that is due or when a class is going to start soon. iStudiez Pro will help you stay organized during the school year -- something that many students regularly struggle with. The free version of iStudiez limits you to managing 1 semester, 3 courses, 5 classes per course, 7 assignments, 5 instructors, and 2 holiday periods.
Khan Academy for iPad
Khan Academy is one of the best products of education and the internet, and with the Khan Academy app for the iPad, you will have free access to over 2700 videos on topics ranging from kindergarten, advanced science, humanities, history, and more. Even more, you can download the videos to watch offline, keep up with what the teach is saying with organized captions, and earn achievements as you learn.
See also:
Flashcards+ for iPhone and iPad
With school comes lots of studying. One of the most common studying techniques is to use flashcards. With the free Flashcards+ app for iPhone and iPad, you can say goodbye to the stacks and stacks of flashcards that accumulate over the course of a semester and use electronic flashcards on your iPhone or iPad instead. The beauty of Flashcards+ is that you have your flash cards with you wherever you go, which means you'll likely squeeze in more mini study lessons throughout your day and end up with better grades as a result!
See also:
CaptureNotes 2 for iPad
CaptureNotes 2 is the iPad note-taking app that is designed specifically for students. In addition to the ability to take handwritten notes (most likely with a stylus), CaptuerNotes 2 also lets you record audio (to, say, record the lecture) and take photos that can directly added to your notes. You can also import PDF's and annotated them with your own handwriting or highlights. There are a lot of different note-taking a PDF-annotating apps out there, but CaptureNotes 2 is the best one for students because it lets you organize your work into custom notebooks and binders.
See also:
SparkNotes for iPhone
SparkNotes is one of the most popular study guides for literature, Shakespeare, poetry, philosophy, drama and short stories. With the free SparkNotes for iPhone app you can access 50 pre-installed study guides in your library and hundreds of study guides online. You can also check-in at the place you're studying and indicate what subject your studying which could then result in impromptu study sessions with other SparkNotes users studying the same subject at the same place at the same time.
Pages for iPhone and iPad
With school, comes essays, and Pages is a great word processing app for iPhone and iPad to help you with those writing this essays. Even more, if you have Mac with OS X Mountain Lion, you can sync your work over iCloud -- start your essay on your iPad at school, make some changes with your iPhone while waiting for your drink at Starbucks, and finish up on your Mac at home!
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The Elements: A Visual Exploration for iPhone and iPad
Taking a Chemistry class? Then The Elements: A Visual Exploration for iPad is a must-have! This app not only provides you with The Periodic Table of Elements, but lets you experience it. The Elements is a living periodic table where every element is shown with a smoothly rotating sample that can be interacted with. The artwork and photography is phenomenal and contributes to making you want to learn about the elements. Seriously.
See also:Anatomy & Physiology REVEALED: Skeletal & Muscular for iPad
Are you taking a Biology class? The you probably want to check out Anatomy & Physiology REVEALED: Skeletal & Muscular for iPad. It will help you learn the skeletal and muscular systems of the human body and features a beautiful layered UI that is jam packed with over 5,000 anatomical structures, videos, and animations. You get to peel away layers of the human body to reveal all structures. You can also explore interactive slides to learn microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues, correlate dissected human anatomy with quality histology and radiologic images, and watch high quality videos and animations that demonstrate muscle actions, joint movements, and anatomical relationships, and the animations integrate physiologic function. When you're ready to test your knowledge, Anatomy & Physiology REVEALED will quiz your ability to identify anatomical structures.
Quick Graph for iPhone and iPad
If you're a student taking a math class, there's a good chance you could benefit from a graphing calculator. Unfortunately, such devices are very expensive, but the good news is that there are several app solutions for your iPhone and iPad -- the best being Quick Graph. It lets you graph multiple equations at the same time, change their color, trace along them, and more. Quick Graph supports both 2D and 3D graphing in rectangular and polar forms.
See also:WolframAlpha for iPhone and iPad
Wolfram Alpha is one of the biggest educational resources available on the web. It's most commonly known for it's usefulness for math students, but it also features a lot of helpful information in other sciences, statistics, history, culture, media, medicine, technology, linguistics, engineering and much more. The WolframAlpha app for iPhone and iPad provides a great interface for searching this huge pool of information. In particular, the keyboard includes common mathematical symbols that would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to type out otherwise.
iHelpPlus for iPhone
Unfortunately, we live in an unsafe world and crimes on college campuses are not uncommon. iHelpPlus for iPhone is a personal alarm, panic button and ICE emergency contact information app that's filled with a lot of helpful tools to prioritize your safety, my favorite one being the delayed alarm. With the delayed alarm, you can set a custom alarm that will send a distress message to the contacts of your choice if it's not disable in time. For example, if you're taking a night class and it typically takes you 10 minutes to walk to your car, you can set an alarm that will alert your emergency contact in 15 minutes unless you turn it off by then. It's a minor inconvenience that could potentially save your life.
iBooks for iPhone and iPad
School and books go hand and in hand, and with iBooks for iPhone and iPad, you can carry more books than ever in your hand. If you're lucky, you may find some of your class textbooks in the new Textbook category of the iBookstore, but if not, there are plenty of educational books you can find to supplement the required materials of your courses. Most of the common literature that is required reading is also available in the iBookstore.
See also:
iTunes U for iPhone and iPad
The free iTunes U app for iPhone and iPad gives you access to courses from universities and schools. These courses are completely free and even include assignments. iTunes U and the instructors provide course materials, including audio, video, books, documents & presentations, apps, and books. iTunes U includes over 500,000 free lectures, videos, books, and other resources on thousands of subjects from Algebra to Zoology.
Your favorite back-to-school apps?These are just a few (yes, a few!) of our favorite apps to prepare for the new school year, but there are hundreds of other out there available in the App Store. Did we miss any of your favorites? If so, please let us know know which ones should be added to the list and why! Rene Ritchie contributed photos to this article. 
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| iOS 6 preview: Maps gets turn-by-turn navigation Posted: 21 Aug 2012 03:56 PM PDT
With iOS 6, Apple is replacing the previous, Google-powered Maps app on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, with a completely redesigned, re-rendered, and re-imagined Maps app. The data itself is supplied by TomTom, but Apple has draw all the maps, and while they've lost some features, like Street View, they're adding new ones, like turn-by-turn navigation Rumor has it, Apple's been wanting to add turn-by-turn for a while now, but Google would only give it to them if Apple took the location-tracking Latitude feature as well. Apple declined. Now, in command of their own geo-destiny, Apple will soon be providing free navigation for one and all, and thanks to Siri on the iPhone 4S and future devices, it'll have full on voice directions as well. Here's how Apple describes it:
Based on what Apple's shown off so far, here are the features:
Apple's finely crafted, vector map tiles, exquisite turn-by-turn interface, and Siri powering it all, makes for an excellent, if online-only solution. Still, for quickly finding your way somewhere, and even more quickly finding places on the way, iOS 6 Maps should be just what the navigator ordered. iOS 6 is scheduled for release this fall, perhaps as soon as September 19. For more on iOS 6 and Siri, check out: 
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| Closing arguments begin in Apple vs Samsung patent trial Posted: 21 Aug 2012 03:00 PM PDT  Closing arguments have begun in the high-profile patent-infringement case between Apple and Samsung.
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| Introducing the official iMore Forums app for iPhone and iPad! Posted: 21 Aug 2012 02:41 PM PDT
iMore Forums for iPhone and iPad is FREE in the App Store! Download now!The official iMore Forums app is here! That's right -- the second part in our epic iMore app-ification has landed. It uses the awesome Tapatalk engine to give you access to the iMore forums, from reading to posting, from iPhone and iPod touch to iPad. That's right, it's a universal app! We originally wanted to include this in the main iMore app but figured out early on that the forums deserved their own, dedicated app. We didn't want to compromise the experience of either app by shoe-horning them into one, least-of-both-worlds container. And with the iMore Forums app, I think it shows we made the right decision. The amount of stuff you can do with the iMore Forums app is just stupendous. Powered by our incredible community, you can get help on any problem, with any device, in just a few taps. You can share your knowledge and help other members as well. You can trade wallpapers and ringtones, talk about how you use your iPhone or iPad for music or photography, for fitness or gaming. You can discuss all the latest rumors and share your visions for the future of iOS and the next generation iPhone. And you can enter all of the amazing contests we run (including iPad and iPhone giveaways!) The iMore Forums app joins the Android Central Forums app and CrackBerry Forums app so no matter which device, no matter what platform, you can get your Mobile Nations community fix wherever you are and whenever you want! So go grab the iMore Forums app now and get posting! Free - Download now
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| Review: Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4590 a low-cost corporate MFP Posted: 21 Aug 2012 02:45 PM PDT  The WP-4590 inkjet MFP is a competent, and considerably cheaper, alternative to color laser multifunctions for corporate workgroups.
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| InstallFree Nexus brings Microsoft Office to iPads via the cloud Posted: 21 Aug 2012 01:30 PM PDT  We're no closer to seeing Word as a native iPad app than we were when it was spotted briefly in the wild six months ago, but that doesn't mean that you can't edit or create Word documents on an iPad. InstallFree Nexus is one of your options, and an intriguing one at that.
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| Latest iPad Mini Rumor: Production Ramping Up in September for October Release Posted: 21 Aug 2012 01:44 PM PDT
The latest rumors reported by Apple Insider suggest that production for the iPad Mini (or iPad Air or whatever Apple decides to name it) is set to ramp up next month, in preparation for a launch of the new smaller iPad in October:
The report is based on sources at DigiTimes, which has a very spotty record when it comes to Apple rumors – but it does sound a lot like similar reports we heard from them about ramped up production for the new iPad at the tail end of 2011 and early this year, which seem to have proved accurate. October seems quite a viable time for the release of the new smaller iPad too. One thing I know for sure – the more speculation I read on the size of the iPad Mini and how screen resolution and apps will work on it and how light it will be, and the more lovely mockups I see at iMore, the more ready I feel to buy it yesterday. As In, I really can't wait to get my hands on this new smaller iPad now. © patrickj for iPad Insight, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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| Rumored Verizon blackout dates line up with rumored September 21 iPhone 5 launch date Posted: 21 Aug 2012 01:11 PM PDT
Verizon is rumored to be blacking out vacation days starting Friday, September 21, 2012. If that date sounds familiar, it's because back in July iMore learned Apple was planning to announce the next iPhone on September 12 and launch it on September 21. Coincidence? Not according to Jordan Crook at TechCrunch.
As mentioned earlier today, the iPhone 5 will be a really big deal for Verizon, as it will likely give them an LTE 4G device, which is lightyears ahead of the CDMA-bound one they have now. So, if accurate, Verizon is absolutely going to want to have everything prepped and ready for what might just be their biggest phone launch ever. Source: TechCrunch 
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| Court preparing Apple-Samsung jury for deliberations Posted: 21 Aug 2012 12:25 PM PDT  Jurors hearing arguments between Apple and Samsung have been warned not to accept software updates or install apps on mobile gadgets they receive while deliberating the merits of the patent-infringement case, as such updates could alter the appearance of some things under dispute in the trial. Also, the judge in the case promises to keep the blood flowing during the reading of the more than 100 pages of jury instructions.
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| How to fix a blown earpiece speaker in a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4 Posted: 21 Aug 2012 12:07 PM PDT
If you've got a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4 and the earpiece speaker has suddenly stopped working, or you're getting feedback and you're sure the issue isn't being caused by poor reception, a DIY repair can get it back in working order. Replacing the earpiece will cost you a lot less than an out of warranty replacement and it's not terribly difficult to fix on your own. Follow along and we'll show you how. Disclaimer: As with any repair, neither iMore nor PXLFIX can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device. What you need for a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4 earpiece replacementPXLFIX recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like eTech Parts. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs. You will find links to the specific parts you'll need for this repair in the list below.
You will also need the following tools which are also available via eTech Parts.
Power off your iPhone 4
Before performing any repair, always power off your device before removing any screws or parts. Remove the back
  Organize your screwsIt's very important to make sure you remember where you are pulling screws from, so place them in an arrangement that you'll understand and remember. I normally lay them out the same way every time I disassemble a device so I remember where they came from and how they go back in. They're all different sizes so trying to figure out where they go if you get them mixed up probably won't be fun. Remove the battery
    Remove the grounding clipTo the left of where you disconnected the battery you'll see another screw holding in a grounding clip over the antenna. We'll need to remove it.
  Remove the Dock connector shield and disconnect the cable
  Remove the top logic board shield
  Remove wifi antenna grounding clip
  Disconnect 7 cables from the logic board
   Remove the logic board
   Remove the bad earpiece assembly
  Install the new earpiece assembly
Reassemble your iPhone 4To reassemble your Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4 you can either follow these instructions in reverse order or watch our reassembly video above. Since the video covers a complete reassembly you'll only need to watch from around the 4:40 mark on in order to finish putting your iPhone 4 back together. And ...done!Now that you've got your iPhone 4 put back together you can power it back on. Place a test call in order to make sure the earpiece is functioning properly again. If it isn't, make sure you've installed it correctly and that the prongs are going in the right direction. If you have and problems still persist, in rare occasions the lower mic in the dock connector or the noise canceling mic at the top can cause issues that make the earpiece not function properly. If you're still having issues, you can check out our guides on those repairs as well:
Want to know how to perform another type of iPhone repair or modification? Send me suggestions to ally.kazmucha@imore.com. For questions or to inquire about mail-in repairs through PXLFIX, please follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or e-mail us directly! Of course, you can like us and follow us just because you think we're cool too! 
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| Hands on with Skype photo sharing for iPhone, iPad Posted: 21 Aug 2012 11:45 AM PDT  Skype on Tuesday announced that it has added a few new features to version 4.1 of its iPhone and iPad apps, including the ability to send and receive photos.
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| Everything Everywhere getting early LTE in the UK, but will they get an LTE iPhone to go with it? Posted: 21 Aug 2012 10:19 AM PDT
While the UK is way ahead when it comes to angry chefs yelling at people on TV, so far their LTE deployment has been anything but speedy. However, Everything Everywhere, the company formed by the merger of Orange and T-Mobile, has been granted a license by Ofcom to start deploying LTE on 1800MHz -- this September. If that time frame sounds familiar, it's because it's also the rumored time frame for the iPhone 5 announcement. Coincidental? Maybe, but it would put Everything Everywhere well ahead of rivals O2 and Vodafone, who are still waiting on an oft-delayed spectrum auction before they can even begin their LTE rollouts. Alex Dobie from Android Central reports:
So maybe, just maybe, folks in the UK won't have to wait until next year to get their hands on an LTE 4G powered iPhone 5. We just remarked on how big a deal LTE would be for Verizon in the US. Could it be just as big a deal for Everything Everywhere in the UK? If Everything Everywhere gets and LTE iPhone -- and it's still a big, unannounced, if at this point -- would you switch networks for it? Source: TechRadar via Android Central 
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| Band of the Day for iPad Updated – Adds Similar Bands and Liking Bands Posted: 21 Aug 2012 10:21 AM PDT
Band of the Day for iPad (and iOS) has had another good update earlier this month – to Version 2.5. The most notable new features in this update are the ability to Like any song, band or video in the app and share your likes on Facebook; and a sidebar section that highlights similar bands from the app's artist catalog. Here's the full change list for this update: - Receive notifications when a new band is available This is a great app for discovering new bands and artists, It's a past pick for Best Free iPad App of the Week, and one of my selections in the list of the Top 25 Best Free iPad Apps. Here's an App Store link for Band of the Day; it's still a free app and is a universal app designed to run on both iPad and iPhone. © patrickj for iPad Insight, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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| Twitter app makers trying to figure out the future Posted: 21 Aug 2012 10:15 AM PDT  Twitter's recent API rule changes place various limits on what third-party app developers can offer. Staff writer Lex Friedman spoke to the developers behind several popular Twitter clients to find out what the future holds.
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| New PowerShot cameras extend Canon's long-zoom lineup Posted: 21 Aug 2012 09:59 AM PDT  The PowerShot SX500 IS and PowerShot SX160 IS are bulkier than most long-zoom cameras you'll find these days, but if you want a CCD sensor, a handgrip, and manual controls, they fit the bill.
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| Why an LTE iPhone will mean the most to Verizon Posted: 21 Aug 2012 08:44 AM PDT
If Apple ships the next iPhone with support for fast LTE 4G networks, as rumors have suggested for a while, Verizon will be one of the networks that benefits the most. The current iPhone 4S is a mixed bag for Verizon, the slowest iPhone on the fastest network, but the next one won't be, and that will make a huge difference. It may seem like a distant memory now, but when the iPhone launched in 2007, it was AT&T only in the US. Verizon tried to counter-program it several times, including with the disastrous BlackBerry Storm, before it struck a cord with the bombastic Motorola Droid. While the Droid sold well, it didn't sell iPhone well, and didn't drive iPhone-level customer interest or retention. Verizon tried again with the litigiously iPhone-like Samsung Facinate (née Galaxy S), and again, it sold well, but didn't need it to do what Verizon needed it to do in terms of customer acquisition, retention, or revenue generation. So in February 2011, Verizon and Apple came to a deal to offer America's most popular phone on America's biggest network, and the Verizon iPhone 4 shipped. But it wasn't as technologically good as the AT&T/GSM version. Instead of HSPA 7.2mbps speed and simultaneous voice and data, it was stuck on EVDO Rev A ~2.5mbps speed and could only do data when voice wasn't being used. The fragility of AT&T's network, and customer frustration with it, easily counterbalanced any technological inequities, but only for a while. That's because, at around the same time, Verizon was launching the first LTE network in the US, a network that was well ahead of AT&T. In May of 2011, Verizon debuted the HTC Thunderbolt, their first LTE handset. The speeds weren't stunning by current LTE standards -- roughly 8mbps in Android Central's tests, and battery life was a joke, but Verizon had suddenly become not only the biggest network in the US, but the most advanced. Yet all they had from Apple was a slow, CDMA iPhone, and since Apple wasn't about to make a gigantic phone with terrible battery life, that was all Verizon was going to get. Even in October of 2011, when Apple launched the iPhone 4S and gave AT&T (and other GSM carriers) HSPA 14.4mbps, Verizon stayed stuck on EVDO Rev A ~2.5mbps. It didn't really hurt Verizon's sales -- they went on to move an enormous amount of iPhones, but I bet it hurt their pride. They'd spent years and billions building a big network and pushing out next generation technology faster than anyone, and their biggest rival still had a better iPhone. And who knows how many more iPhones they could have sold if they weren't limited by CDMA and EVDO? Back in May of 2011, I joked that AT&T would invent a 4G iPhone before Apple did by using their BS "HSPA as 4G" marketing to claim they had a 4G iPhone, knowing Verizon couldn't use the same label since their, more proper, "LTE as 4G" wasn't supported yet by Apple. Low and behold, in March of 2012 AT&T did just that, somehow getting Apple to go along with it to the extent that AT&T, and AT&T alone, got a 4G label plastered on their iPhone status bar. Verizon didn't stand still. They offered the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and now the Samsung Galaxy S3. But when it came to America's most popular, most profitable single smartphone, America's biggest, most reliable, most advanced network, Verizon, was locked and labeled a generation behind AT&T. That changes this September. If the rumors of an iPhone 5 with 4G LTE prove true, that changes in a big way. Suddenly Verizon has the fastest iPhone in the most places in the US. The carrier that takes incredible pride in their network can take incredible pride in their iPhone. And customers who have stayed on AT&T only because of the data speed and simultaneous voice and data, suddenly have a potentially bigger, potentially better option. The CMDA iPhone was the iPhone Verizon needed, even if it wasn't the iPhone they wanted. The LTE iPhone will be both. 
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A rare Apple iPhone N90 prototype which is the iPhone 4 has appeared for sales on eBay with a very strange logo on the back panel. Rather than the usual Apple logo which we all know and love, this prototype has a logo which appears to resemble the Death Star from the Star Wars movies.
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