iPad available for pre-order at 5:30 Pacific, 8:30 Eastern

Apple starts taking orders for the iPad at 5:30 a.m. Pacific/8:30 a.m. Eastern on Friday, March 12.

Quick App Updates: Tweetie, Loopt, Foursquare, Flickr — Including iPhone 3.2 Compatibility(!)

Tapped on App Store and what did I see? Updates for Tweetie, Loopt, Foursquare, and Flickr — and a couple of those say iPhone OS 3.2 (aka iPad) right there in the What’s New listing. (Yeah, that doesn’t mean 3.2 is coming to the iPhone or these are 1024×768 versions, likely just that they’re built using that SDK for maximum blackboxing on the iPad).

Tweetie [$2.99 - iTunes link] has just hit version 2.1.1 and brings iPhone OS 3.2 compatibility(!), Foursquare (4sq.com) integration, Vodpod video uploads, Post ‘message’ parameter to TwitPic, and Instapaper Mobilizer. See our previous Tweetie coverage for more on the app.

Loopt [Free - iTunes link] expands the product’s Pulse feature to include tens of thousands of local events, and allows check-in to events, public Tips, and the ability to RSVP to events posted on Facebook. It’s also got you covered for SXSW, and adds content from SonicLiving, Zvents and Metromix.

Foursquare [Free - iTunes link] brings a whole new look and feel (see below), faster, better checkin, and categories for Places view. Also, it has history for Places, and uses Tweetie-style pull-to-refresh.

Flickr [Free - iTunes link] iPhone OS 3.2 support (!)

Quick App Updates: Tweetie, Loopt, Foursquare, Flickr — Including iPhone 3.2 Compatibility(!) is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Android’s American market share soars, WinMo pays the price

Mobile manufacturer and platform market share stats for the US are in for the month of January thanks to comScore, and as usual, they tell a fascinating (and somewhat unpredictable) story of what's actually going on at the cash registers. Motorola -- which has long since fallen off its high horse on the global stage -- still maintains a commanding presence in the American market by representing some 22.9 percent of all subscribers, though that's down 1.2 percent from October 2009; that's particularly interesting in light of the Droid's success, and a possible sign that smartphones still aren't on the cusp of dominating the phone market overall. Samsung recently touted the fact that it had held onto the States' overall market share crown, though Sammy was undoubtedly referring to sales, not subscribers -- in other words, there are still a ton of legacy RAZRs out there inflating Moto's stats.

Turning our attention to smartphone platforms, BlackBerry OS, iPhone, and Android all saw gains, while Windows Mobile and Palm both saw significant downturns. You might use Palm's loss of 2.1 percent of overall market share in a single quarter as a big nail in webOS' coffin, but we're inclined to believe this includes legacy devices -- and considering the huge installed base of Palm OS-based handsets (Centros, for instance) that are coming off contract these days, it's neither surprising nor alarming to see that kind of drop. Android's gain, meanwhile, likely comes in large part from WinMo's whopping four percent loss -- it's no secret that WinMo 6.x is well past its expiration date with customers leaving in droves (even before Windows Phone 7 Series announcement), and our informal observations lead us to believe that many of those folks are heading for Android. After all, it's kind of convenient that Android gained 4.3 percent and WinMo lost about the same, isn't it? BlackBerrys still dominate the American smartphone landscape, and the iPhone market looks like it might be mature for the time being -- Apple added just 0.3 percent to its market share in the quarter, possibly a sign that folks are holding out for whatever Cupertino brings us come Summer. Is this a sign that Palm needs to step up its game yet again? Undoubtedly -- but at the same time, we wouldn't call the loss of those Palm OS subscribers a death knell just yet.

Android's American market share soars, WinMo pays the price originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiPb After Dark: SinSearch Brings Bad Things to Your iPhone

SinSearch [Free - iTunes link] is a very bad iPhone app. Not bad as in badly done by any means — bad as in it helps you find things that are bad for your health, bad for your wallet, and/or bad for any chance at a career in public office should they be discovered. (Which means, of course, it should be wildly popular):

SinSearch uses your GEOlocation (GPS) to pinpoint bars, clubs, taxis, spirits, wine bars and many more locations nearest your current location. Scroll through a list of results and click to find locations organized by distance away from you. Address, phone number, map and directions are all provided within the app. Perfect for those of you looking to have a memorable night of fun in a new town or in your very own backyard! It will not only help you find fun but help you get out of trouble with searches for lawyers, churches, hospitals and more!

Nice little shot of redemption there at the end! If you give it a try, let us know what you think!

TiPb After Dark: SinSearch Brings Bad Things to Your iPhone is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Apple iPad Orders Start Tomorrow 5:30am PT, 8:30am ET, 1:30pm GT

TUAW played hero today, riding to the rescue of would-be iPad pre-orderers everywhere with firm news from Apple PR of just when exactly those iPad pre-orders would start:

“Customers can pre-order online at apple.com at 5:30am Pacific time on Friday, March 12.”

So that’s 5:30am PT, 8:30am ET, 1:30pm GT. Of course, the Apple Online Store might go down first, and who knows what delays might spring up between now and then, but for what it’s worth that’s currently go time.

So now the question remains: who’s placing an order?!

Apple iPad Orders Start Tomorrow 5:30am PT, 8:30am ET, 1:30pm GT is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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U.S. iPad Pre-Orders Set to Begin at 5:30 AM Pacific Time Tomorrow

TUAW reports that U.S. pre-orders for both Wi-Fi and 3G-capable iPads will go live on Apple's site at 5:30 AM Pacific Time / 8:30 AM Eastern Time tomorrow morning. Apple last week announced that pre-orders would begin on March 12th, but did ...

AT&T Claims To Be Working Hard To Enable Tethering For iPhone Customers

iPhone SDK 3.2 showing first hints of multitasking for third-party apps?

Naturally, we need to first disclaim this noise by saying that rumors of third-party multitasking capability in the iPhone are as old as the iPhone SDK itself. That said, it's hard to ignore a new reference to a "multitasking dialog box" buried deep within the iPhone SDK 3.2 beta that -- while not new to beta 4 specifically -- we're told didn't exist in 3.1.3. Now, the wildest possible speculation would have us believing that this is the very first by-product of a new multitasking system for developers that's being developed for the platform, presumably destined for an appearance in OS 4.0 when it's introduced along with new hardware this summer -- but it's just as likely that Apple will continue to keep the iPhone's multitasking capability to itself, a function it uses liberally among the phone and music apps, just to name a couple. For what it's worth, AppleInsider is citing a tipster claiming that Apple's got a "full-on solution" to multitasking that would properly address its main concern -- battery life issues -- for release this year, so maybe we'll be able to chuck those awful push notifications before we know it. Now if you'll excuse us, we'll be over here in the corner running a few dozen apps on our Pre Plus.

iPhone SDK 3.2 showing first hints of multitasking for third-party apps? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked Memo Reveals Verizon’s Plan To Promote MiFi To iPad Customers

Apple Releases Safari 4.0.5

Apple today released Safari 4.0.5 for Mac and Windows, bringing a number of enhancements to Apple's Internet browser application.

This update is recommended for all Safari users and includ...

Review: Tripod Camera for iPhone

This app add some nice options to the iPhone's camera -- most notably an anti-tilt feature that keeps your shot level no matter what -- and makes a nice addition to any shutterbug's tool-set.

iDongle hardware iPhone jailbreak tool makes hacker life a little simpler

If you needed any more proof that Apple's lame cat-and-mouse game with the iPhone jailbreak community has only served to increase the scene's resourcefulness and creativity, look no further than the iDongle, a slick piece of hacker-made hardware that can jailbreak and activate an iPhone 3GS or iPod touch running OS 3.1.2 just by plugging it into the dock connector. What's more, it allows a jailbroken iPhone to be rebooted away from a computer, which is currently a problem for on-the-go hackers -- just stick this guy in your bag and you'll be good to go. There's only a dozen prototypes right now, but pre-orders are being accepted to raise funds for production -- we've got a feeling quite a few people are going to be interested. Video after the break.

Continue reading iDongle hardware iPhone jailbreak tool makes hacker life a little simpler

iDongle hardware iPhone jailbreak tool makes hacker life a little simpler originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iMaxi Maxi Pad iPad Case from Etsy

You knew with a name like the iPad, the jokes they would follow but Etsy takes it to a new level.

They have developed a real, usable case which is in the form of a feminine napkin — and yes it has wings. Etsy is selling these “cases” for $30.00 US for the month of March as a promotion.

Here is how Etsy describes the case on their website:

>With its durable vinyl outer layer and plush, quilted-cotton sleeve, the iMaxi helps keep your iPad clean and dry. Plus, the iMaxi’s Velcro-latched, advanced wing design wraps snugly around your device, so your iPad always stays where it should. Best of all, it shields it from all those unsightly and embarrassing data leaks that would make any motherboard worry!

>Each handmade iMaxi can be easily customized to fit your active lifestyle. Please view other listings for different color options including our “lived in” red thread interior. If you don’t see a color you like, just ask!

So did Etsy catch a wave or simply jump the shark? Personally, I think its pretty funny and who knows I may even pick one up for a special editor friend of mine, for April fools. What do you think, funny or flop?

A couple more pics after the break!

iMaxi Maxi Pad iPad Case from Etsy is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Apple Has Developed A “Full-on Solution” To Multitasking In iPhone OS 4.0

Opera’s Mini 5 browser comes to Android

Opera has released a beta version of its Mini 5 web browser for Android based smartphones, the company said on Thursday.

Apple Dominates Consumer Reports’ Tech Support Ratings

Consumer Reports yesterday announced the release of new ratings of computer tech support ratings for both laptops and desktop, and while the full details are restricted to subscribers, CNET reveals that A...

iDongle - Standalone Tethered Booting For Your Jailbroken iPhone

TiPb Give-Away: HyperMac Nano Battery for iPhone/iPod

The HyperMac Nano by HyperShop is an external battery for iPhone and iPod with a built in charging cable. It’s highly portable, looks and feels great, and is made of 1800mAh lithium ion which provides up 1.5 times full recharge of the iPhone.

To learn more and get details about the give-away, follow us after the break!

The design of the HyperMac Nano is very slick and reminds me a cigarette lighter. With dimensions of only 3.4″ x 1.5″ x 0.55″, the battery will fit easily into your jeans or jacket pocket for easy portability. The rounded edges of the aluminum casing also feels nicely in your hands. The HyperMac comes in 9 stylish colors; yes, the same 9 colors available for the iPod nano.

What makes the HyperMac Nano unique to other external batteries is the built in charging cable. Underneath the cap you will find both male and female 30-pin sockets plugged into each other. The cap also conveniently snaps magnetically to the bottom of the battery so you don’t lose it when the battery is in use.

To charge the HyperMac Nano, just plug your iPhone cable into the female socket; and to charge your iPhone, plug the male socket into your iPhone. When the HyperMac Nano is plugged into a power source, a blue light will indicate that it is charging and a green light will mean the charge is complete.

When on the go, I found the HyperMac Nano more convenient than an extended battery because it did not increase the length of my iPhone. I could easily fit them together in my jacket pocket without fear of them falling out because the short cable is long enough to rest the battery behind my iPhone and so nothing sticks out of my pocket.

In conclusion, I found the HyperMac Nano to be a great and stylish way to give my iPhone some extra juice.

Now for the give-away! Just leave a comment below and let us know why HyperMac Nano will be a great addition to you life. We’ll pick one of you randomly and send you a silver HyperMac Nano. You need a valid email address and a US shipping address to enter. The contest starts now and ends Sunday, March 14, 2010.

TiPb Give-Away: HyperMac Nano Battery for iPhone/iPod is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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DARPA looking to develop iPhone and Android apps, App Store

DARPA looking to develop iPhone and Android apps, App Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More suggestions of multitasking in iPhone OS 4.0

Filed under: OS, Software, Developer, iPhone

Developers have found further evidence of multitasking support for 3rd party iPhone apps in the latest beta (3.2 beta 4) of the iPhone SDK, and suggest that it will become a reality this summer.

9to5 Mac reports on a new line found deep within the latest iPhone SDK. Specifically, SpringBoard.js has a reference to a "multitasking dialog box" that did not appear in version 3.1.3 of the SDK; it seems that it's new to version 3.2. Of course, there's no assurance that this refers to 3rd party support for multitasking, but it is new.

Additionally, Appleinsider's souces with "proven track records" state that Apple has developed "a full-on solution" for 3rd-party multitasking which will be a part of iPhone OS 4.0. No specifics were given on how it will be pulled off or how it will address the two main concerns: battery life and security.

Let's assume that Apple's plan addresses the security issue, but battery life still presents a problem, one that was supposedly addressed by Push Notifications. Apple's remote notification service allows applications to offload polling processes to web servers. By keeping the update algorithms working off the device, the iPhone's battery is spared. Certainly the iPhone itself must take on the task of keeping all of those apps up and running.

It should also be noted that iPhone OS does not use a paged memory model. That means, multi-tasking applications must compete for the same memory space, making it more likely that apps will receive memory warnings and even crash when they use too much memory. That's not an issue in the one-app-at-a-time space, but a real problem with multitasking

Of course, the iPhone OS is already fully capable of multitasking. In order for non-Apple apps to participate, Apple must lift the current restrictions within the OS. That's something the company won't do until the iPhone engineers have devised the best and safest method. As for iPhone OS 4.0, Appleinsider notes that it's got "a ways to go." Hopefully we'll have an answer in July.

More suggestions of multitasking in iPhone OS 4.0 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

More suggestions of multitasking in iPhone OS 4.0 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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