Proximity sensor woes under iOS 4? There’s a clean install for that

Is your proximity sensor malfunctioning under iOS 4, leading your cheek to hang up on calls or otherwise frustrate your ability to have a conversation? iPhone’s proximity sensor is supposed to detect when the iPhone is moved up and close to your face so it can dim the screen and turn off multitouch, preventing just those types of problems. With iOS 4, for some users, it seems to randomly stop working, making multitouch live again, and that’s when the problems start.

Some folks who have been grappling with this issue say a clean restore fixed it. That means re-installing iOS 4 and setting up as a new iPhone — not from backup. It can be an incredible pain in the apps, costing you time to re-enter settings and losing your place in offline games, but if face dialing and other proximity sensor issues are driving you even crazier than a re-install would, it’s something to consider. Yes, even on a brand new iPhone 4. Seriously.

Sure, a magical iOS 4.0.1 update could show up any time to fix that antenna reception problem and cure proximity issues in one fell swoop… but it might not either. If the work involved in a clean install has you panicked, wait as long as your sanity allows and then get it over with as quickly and cleanly as you can. (Or explore Bluetooth and keep your phone in your pocket).

If you’re experiencing the proximity problem, let us know. If you’ve done the clean install, let us know if that fixed it.

Proximity sensor woes under iOS 4? There’s a clean install for that is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Incipio dermaSHOT case for iPad

Incipio dermaSHOT case for iPad is high-density silicone protection in black, pink, green, or blue. As a bonus, it’s designed to protect your precious iPad without collecting excess and annoying lint.

It’s not the thinnest skin in the store but the thickness does provide extra protection against those little bumps and scrapes that would otherwise impact the device. (Except for the area directly over the Apple logo on the back — that’s left thin and translucent of course…)

The incipio dermaSHOT case for iPad includes a screen protector and is available now from the TiPb iPad accessory store.

Pros

• Nice feel
• Good protection for a skin
• Includes screen protector

Cons

• Edge flashing not well trimmed

TiPb review rating

Incipio dermaSHOT case for iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Test results: iPhone 4 battery life

Just how much longer does the iPhone 4's battery last over its predecessor? Macworld Lab put the phone to the test, and Lab Director James Galbraith has the results.

First Look: Train Conductor 2: USA for iPhone

Train Conductor 2: USA has been officially announced for the iPhone.

iOS 4 updated: BeeJiveIM, iHound, Line2, Omnifocus, PCalc

We’ve been keeping our eye out as more iOS 4 app updates keep hitting the App Store filled with multitasking, state saving, Retina Display-ing goodness.

Hit the jump to see some of the latest we’ve found!

BeeJiveIM with Push 4.0

One of the best IM clients on iPhone gets better with:

• iOS 4.0 compatibility. Background support for iOS 4.0 devices.
• iPhone 4 compatibility. Enhanced image resolution for Retina Display.

[iTunes link - $9.99]

iHound 3.0

We spoke with iHound back at Macworld and now their already solid location tracking service has been beefed up:

If your device supports multi-tasking, then it checks in with the iHound server every 10 minutes, and the following new features become available for you in your Security Dashboard at www.ihoundsoftware.com:

• PowerSave Tracking: Your device determines its location, transmits to the server, then shuts down until the next check-in.

• Full On Tracking: Your device’s GPS will run continually as iHound transmits to the server every 30 seconds.

• Siren: Plays a siren alarm on your device. It will not quit until you shut it off from the web site.

[$3.99 - iTunes link]

Line2 2.4

No Google Voice app on iPhone? No problem, Line2 offers many of the same services, some extras for business, and now background support so you can use it like a real phone replacement. (Requires Line2 service).

• Receive calls while Line2 is in the background
• Continue talking on a call even when you switch away to another app

[Free - iTunes link]

Omnifocus 1.7

They had us at the purple brush-metal icon.

• In preparation for the new high-resolution display on iPhone 4 we’ve refreshed all of the artwork in OmniFocus. We hope you like the new look!
• OmniFocus now uses local notifications to present due alerts when running on iOS 4 or later, so you can receive alerts for due tasks even if you’re not syncing with a server. (Synced calendar alerts are still available for devices which are running earlier versions of the operating system.)
• OmniFocus is now a multitasking-aware application, allowing it to be quickly suspended and resumed on iOS 4.
• OmniFocus can complete some operations in the background on iOS 4, such as optimizing its database.
• The Completed perspective now includes items from completed projects, not just active projects.
• Fixed a bug which prevented audio from recording in OmniFocus 1.6.5.
• Fixed a crash when tapping “Save” while audio recording was still in progress.

[$19.99 - iTunes link]

PCalc 2.1

If it’s beyond 2 + 3 = apple, it’s beyond me but smart mathamagicians like Leanna tell me numbers are good and PCalc has consistently been one of the best. Now it’s better. And sharper.

• Added support for iOS 4.0 and fast app switching.
• Added support for the Retina display on the iPhone 4.

[$9.99 - iTunes link]

That’s what we’ve found so far, but if you find any you think deserve a post-up let us know in the comments or send us a tip!

iOS 4 updated: BeeJiveIM, iHound, Line2, Omnifocus, PCalc is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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iRealSMS 3.0 for iPhone Jailbreak – app review

iRealSMS 3.0 for iPhone is a jailbreak utility that you can use in place of the default messaging app.  Up until this point, I had always used QuickReply for SMS.  A several of you TiPb’ers recommended I look at iRealSMS 3.0 so I did. And I’m impressed.  iRealSMS 3.0 exceeds the features of QuickReply for SMS by a landslide.

When you launch the app, you’re greeted with a screen that shows 3 tabs along the bottom; folders, conversations, and settings.  Everything you need is in one easy to access place.  I like that aspect a lot, as most apps put their user configurations in settings, which just means you have to go one more place to make changes.  I wish more developers would start including settings within their applications.

One thing I didn’t like about QuickReply was if you closed out of a text, you still had to exit out of what you were doing in order to respond.  This isn’t the case with iRealSMS 3.0, you simply set a shortcut in your settings to be able to access Quick Send.  I love this feature as I’m really forgetful.  I will be playing a game or reading news feeds and think of 2 other things I needed to tell someone and have to close out of my current task in order to do it.  With iRealSMS, this is no longer a problem for me.

You also have the option of a blacklist feature.  You can also choose to have all texts sent by a blacklisted number automatically deleted.  Another feature that most texting apps lack is delivery notification.  Very handy feature.  Some users reported it didn’t work but I tested it with a friend and it seemed to work okay with me.

Emoji also show up in an easy to access drop down menu or you can choose to have any emoticons you type out automatically turned into Emoji.  I remember last summer Leanna introduced me to the world of Emoji via the app store, and I haven’t been able to go a day without them since (thanks Leanna!).

The price tag for iRealSMS 3.0 is a bit steep compared to that of its counterparts, but for the feature set you get, the $9.99 price tag may be well justified.  There’s a free trial as well, so you can always try it out and see if it seems like a good value to you, and purchase after giving it a test run.

iRealSMS also has an iRealNetwork, as they call it, which will allow you to buy texting credits if you don’t wish to have a texting package.  The current rate is 8 EURO cents per text (of course you’ll have to convert that to your own currency).  In almost every case, that’ll average out to a heck of a lot cheaper than standard texting plans cost for those of you who are looking to save some cash or cut out texting charges.

If you picked up iRealSMS 3.0 or have another jailbreak text supplement you use, let us know what you think in the comments!

Pros

• Folders
• Blacklist
• Snappy response times
• Very configurable
• QuickSend option
• Credit System for those who don’t have a texting package
• In-App Settings
• Voice Notification if you choose to enable

Cons

• Price is a bit steep
• Delivery Notification not very reliable

[$9.99 via Cydia]

iRealSMS 3.0 for iPhone Jailbreak – app review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Lemmings iPhone port slapped with cease-and-desist letter

Developer Mobile 1UP has been served with a cease-and-desist letter over its plans to produce an iPhone version of Lemmings

Element Case shows off Vapor for iPhone 4

TiPb readers will remember Element Case for their original Liquid case for iPhone and the Joule stand for iPad, and you just had to know they wouldn’t sit out something as sexy as iPhone 4, right? Enter Vapor:

Available in a wide array of custom color options and custom features, the Vapor consists of a solid, CNCd aluminum frame made from aircraft grade metals lined with a new, shock-absorbent liner material to protect and stylize.

And yes, it’ll also insulate the iPhone 4 antenna band to prevent any attenuation-related issues.

We’ll be getting our geeky little hands on some soon. More pics after the break.

UPDATE; Element Case just sent us one more pic, an exclusive look at the cutouts. Check it out below.

[Element Case]

Element Case shows off Vapor for iPhone 4 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Make your own iPhone 4 case from a souvenir bracelet

Filed under: iPhone

If your touch is like a Vulcan Nerve Pinch to the iPhone 4's wireless signal, you've got three choices: hold it differently, spend US $30 on a Bumper, or take a pair of scissors to a Livestrong bracelet.

The iPhone Guru discovered that the bracelets fit perfectly around the body of the iPhone 4. After using a pair of scissors to cut holes for the dock connector, the silent mode toggle, and the headphone jack, the band was slipped onto the phone and ready to go. The iPhone Guru reports that reception is "much improved" with the band in place.

At 10 for $10, they're much cheaper than Apple's Bumpers, and your purchase supports cancer research to boot. Of course, any instance of this type of rubber wristband will probably work. Alternatively, check out these decals on Etsy -- three 3-packs for $9!

Live strong, iPhone 4. Live strong!

Thanks to everyone who sent this in

Make your own iPhone 4 case from a souvenir bracelet originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Make your own iPhone 4 case from a souvenir bracelet originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s iAds Slowly Begin to Appear, Led by Nissan Leaf

Last week, we noted that developers had begin incorporating support for Apple's iAd mobile advertisements into updates for their applications, with a few applications starting to show placeholder banners and test ads ahead of the program's official l...

Mozilla Labs’ “Firefox Home” iPhone App Submitted To App Store For Approval

AT&T, Apple sued over iPhone 4 antenna issue

Filed under: iPhone

This just in from the Whopping & Unexpected Surprises Department: in response to the iPhone 4's apparent reception problems, a pair of Maryland residents filed suit in Maryland federal court on Wednesday. They claim that Apple and AT&T knowingly sold phones with a defective antenna design.

The suit focuses on dropped calls and poor data performance, of course. Specifically it says that "Plaintiffs have experienced numerous dropped calls, and as a result, Plaintiffs are left with a device that cannot be used for the normal purpose and in the normal manner in which such devices are intended to be used." The suit also mentions that the couple cannot return their phones (they bought four) without incurring large penalties.

Their backing evidence includes their own experience, of course, but also a list of related stories published on sites like Gizmodo and Boy Genius Report. We don't yet know if "stuff we saw on the web" will hold up in court.

It feels like this lawsuit was inevitable, as many are unhappy after paying for something that they feel cannot reliably perform its main function. We'll follow this story and let you know how it goes. You can read the full legal filing at All Things D.

AT&T, Apple sued over iPhone 4 antenna issue originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AT&T, Apple sued over iPhone 4 antenna issue originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Pool Pro Online 3 for iPad

If you're looking for low-key billiards fun on your iPad, Pool Pro Online 3 delivers...you’ll just need to be a patient player.

Pressure Sensitive Sketching on iPad Demoed

Ten One Design, the makers of capacitive styluses such as the Pogo Sketch, have released a demo video showing pressure sensitive drawing on the iPad.


The demo uses a standard Pogo Sketch stylus and pulls additional data from t...

Cloud-Based iTunes and Wireless Device Syncing Coming ‘Soon’?

Boy Genius Report claims to have received information from an Apple source noting that the company is finally gearing up to launch its cloud-based iTunes initiative, a program that will also included wire...

Mozilla submits Firefox Home to the App Store

Filed under: iPhone

Those who've wanted Firefox on the iPhone will soon get their wish. Kind of. Mozilla has announced that Firefox Home has been submitted to Apple for review.

Don't let the name "Firefox" fool you, because Home isn't really a web browser. It works in concert with the Firefox sync add-on for the desktop. Once you've got that installed and created an account, you'll launch the iPhone app and re-enter your credentials.

The app will remember what tabs you had open most recently and present their contents to you. You'll also have access to your bookmarks, recent browsing history and web search.

The service syncs 2,000 of your most recently visited items every 24 hours, and new data is synced every time you launch the app. Good luck to the Firefox Home team. We hope to test your solution soon.

[Via CNET]

Mozilla submits Firefox Home to the App Store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mozilla submits Firefox Home to the App Store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone at Work: Law Enforcement

How does a law enforcement officer use his iPhone to get the job done and what iPhone apps help get him through his day? TiPb’s iPhone at work contest aims to bring you just such slices of the iPhone life. Here’s trooperoutlaw’s answer and as a small token of thanks we’re sending him a $20 iTunes gift certificate. If you want to see your name up on the TiPb home page and get a gift certificate all your own, head on over to the TiPb iPhone Forum and share your story now!

I am in law enforcement and I use my iPhone everyday for work.

I use the iPhone’s email app for my agency’s email. It works great and helps me stay up to date on my agency email when accessing a computer isn’t possible.

Evernote is great for courtroom testimony. I use it to quickly access case notes I have saved, as well as accessing case law I have saved into my Evernote. It is also great for taking a snapshot of a subpoena or business card and having it searchable after you sync. Other than email and calendar, Evernote is my most used app.

Spanish for Police app is amazing and has proven to be beneficial to me in my job. When talking to a spanish speaking people, it is almost impossible to communicate without this app. (for me at least).

I use iPhone’s calendar app for all my scheduling. I think it is perfect for my uses. It does everything I want it to as well as keeping in sync with my Macbook Pro. I mostly use it to keep track of my appointments and court dates.

iOwn is a great inventory app that is helpful. I use it to keep up with items and serial #’s of both personal and agency owned equipment. Unfortunately, it has been pulled from the app store due to some type of trademark infringement from what I can tell.

Errands is a great app for keeping up with certain tasks that need to be done. I use it to keep track of certain citations I want to keep track of and see the disposition after adjudication. I like it because it puts the little number icon on the app so it is easy to see how may tasks that are left to complete.

The iPhone is a very useful tool in law enforcement. However, not many of my fellow officers use them (at least in my area). A lot of the officers are carrying more rugged type phones.

Do you also work in law enforcement? If so, what apps do you use to while on the job?

iPhone at Work: Law Enforcement is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Apple releases iOS 4 Exchange Server sync fix

Never mind iPhone 4 antenna issues and stuck iOS 4 proximity sensors—business users have been experiencing their own problems with Exchange Server with Apple's latest mobile OS upgrade. Fortunately, thanks to a new Apple support doc, there's a fix for that.

iPhone 4 gets a $1 alternative to pricey Bumpers

If you ask us, Apple should be giving away free bumpers, lollipops, and anything else it can think of to keep its otherwise loyal followers from revolting. But the Great Bitten One isn't doing any one of those things, and most of us are stuck either having to pony up $30 for the official salvation from self-inflicted signal harm or looking out to the grey markets. Entering this morose situation with a bit of ingenuity is Oliver Nelson, who alerts us to the fact that rubber wristbands of the sort your favorite cyclist wears are apparently an almost perfect fit when stretched around the 4's antennae. He advises that a 1.125-inch long by 0.125-inch wide incision (into the unstretched band) is necessary to keep the 30-pin port and speakers open, but otherwise it seems like a pretty effortless and dirt cheap way to avoid all this drama.

iPhone 4 gets a $1 alternative to pricey Bumpers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want to upload 720p movies from iPhone 4? Try Pixelpipe

Filed under: iPhone

If you were disappointed that you can't upload full 720p video from your iPhone 4 to YouTube without transferring it to a computer first, then check out the latest update to the free app Pixelpipe.

While there has been some speculation over whether app developers would be able to access the full-resolution videos for sharing, commenters were quick to assure us there was no reason to worry. Pixelpipe claims that it will share your edited mobile masterpiece in all its splendor not only with YouTube but also to Flickr, Facebook, MobileMe, Viddler, Posterous and a bunch of other video-capable sites (as well email and FTP) for videos up to 200MB.

The update to 2.01 is also quick to add iOS 4.0 multitasking for background uploading and should continue to serve as a semi-ubiquitous multi-tool for getting our videos (and pictures) uploaded almost anywhere you want them to go. We mentioned Pixelpipe previously around the time of the 3GS launch last year; it seems to have come a long way since then.

It is worth noting that some users seem to be experiencing some instability with the app that will hopefully get ironed out quickly. If you are having trouble with it, keep your eyes peeled for other developers to follow up with alternatives now that we know 720p uploading is possible.

Hat tip to Chris Pirillo

Want to upload 720p movies from iPhone 4? Try Pixelpipe originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Want to upload 720p movies from iPhone 4? Try Pixelpipe originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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