How to replace a GSM/AT&T iPhone 4 speaker assembly and cellular antenna [Weekly mod]

Having speaker or cellular reception issues on your GSM/AT&T iPhone 4 and want to DIY repair it? iMore has you covered. We can guide you through the process and give you advice on where to get your parts and tools. Replacing the bottom speaker assembly or cellular antenna are both pretty straight forward repairs if you’ve got good instructions, the right tools, and quality parts.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, 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 issues this repair will address

• Cellular reception issues – if your iPhone 4 can’t hold a cellular signal, won’t connect to 3G, or constantly says “Searching..” – you may need to replace your antenna. First try replacing your SIM or speaking with your carrier.
• Bottom speaker doesn’t work when using speakerphone or playing music

What you need for a DIY speaker or cellular antenna repair

PXLFIX 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.

Please note the speaker assembly is the same across all models of iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S but the antenna will be different.

• GSM iPhone 4 (please note there ARE internal differences between the GSM and CDMA models)
• New GSM iPhone 4 speaker assembly or cellular antenna (whichever part you are replacing)
• SIM removal tool (or a paper clip)
• #00 Phillips screwdriver
• Pry tool or spudger
• Security screwdriver (only if your iPhone has 5-point security screws in the dock connector)

Power off your iPhone 4

Before performing any repair, always power off your device before removing any screws or parts.

Remove the back

1. First remove the bottom 2 dock connector screws in your iPhone 4. Use either your #00 screwdriver or the five point depending on whether or not your iPhone 4 has security screws in the dock connector. Almost all newer devices will have security screws.

2. To remove the back simply slide the back upwards and lift it off gently.
3. Set the back and 2 dock connector screws aside.

Remove your SIM card

Use a SIM removal tool or a paperclip to remove your SIM card and tray. Set them aside.

Remove the battery

1. To remove the battery you’ll need to remove the #00 screw holding the battery clip in place. Remove this screw located to the bottom left of the battery.

2. The metal clip on the battery is what clips the battery to the logic board. You’ll need to pop this clip up with your plastic pry tool. Simply stick the end of your pry tool underneath the clip and gently pull upwards until it unfastens from the logic board.

3. To remove the battery, I do not recommend using the plastic pull tab. There is quite a bit of adhesive underneath the battery and the tab will normally just rip off or you can bend the battery. Instead, run your pry tool along the right side of the battery and break the adhesive that way. Once the battery is free from the adhesive, you can pull the battery out of the phone. There are no other connectors holding it in.

4. You will notice a tiny grounding clip sitting underneath where you unscrewed the battery. Set this aside for replacement during reassembly. This is a grounding clip for your antenna. Make sure you put it back in place before reconnecting your battery.

Remove the dock connector shield and disconnect the cable

1. There is a shield held on with two screws covering the dock connector cable. Remove the two screws holding it in place and set the shield and screws aside, remembering where they came from.

2. Next, use your pry tool to pry up the actual dock connector cable. Be careful as there is adhesive holding the cable in place as well. Peel back the adhesive gently to free the cable.

Remove the top logic board shield

1. There are 5 screws holding the logic board shield in place. Remove the 5 screws holding it in place. Just be sure to remember which holes they came out of as the screws are different sizes. I always keep them in order of how they came out.

2. Next you’ll need to remove the shield. There is a tiny clip built into the shield holding it in place. (Refer to the photo above.) Pop it up with your pry tool and you should be able to slide the shield up fairly easily. Just take care not to bend it or break off a clip.

Disconnect the 6 cables from the top of the logic board

1. There is only one connector holding the camera to the logic board. Remove this cable in the picture above using your pry tool. Gently lift upwards and it will pop right off.

2. Next gently lift the camera out of the device. You’ll notice there is a tiny tab that is seated underneath the LCD and digitizer cables to the right.

3. Next pop up the LCD and digitizer cables to the right of where the camera cable was connected. You pop them up in the same direction.

4. The 3 cables further to the right will need to be disconnected as well. They pop up in the opposite direction.

Remove the logic board

1. Start with the 2 screws holding the logic board down in the middle and at the bottom left. Both use your #00 Phillips screwdriver. They are the same size. The one on the right of the logic board in the middle of the device has a water sensor over it you’ll need to remove.
2. The second screw is located where the logic board meets the speaker assembly towards the bottom left of the device.

3. The third and final screw holding the logic board in is located at the top of the logic board off to the right. It is the only cross-head screw in your device. Use a small flathead screwdriver to carefully remove it.

4. You should now be able to remove your logic board. Holding it at the bottom, gently pull it upwards. I use my other hand to lift up at the top where the rear facing camera used to be.
5. Take note that there is a small rubber piece that sits at the top of the logic board. You will need this for re-assembly so make sure it doesn’t fall off. If you lose this, you could see reception issues.

Remove the speaker assembly

1. To remove the speaker assembly you have one more #00 screw to remove. It sits to the right of the speaker assembly in the bottom right hand corner of your device. Remove it.
2. The second screw holding the speaker assembly into your iPhone you’ve already removed when you removed the logic board.
3. Gently lift the speaker assembly out of your device and set it aside.

Replace the speaker assembly

If you’re replacing the speaker assembly, you’ll just need to unscrew the cellular antenna and peel back the adhesive holding it in place. There are only 2 screws holding it in place. Place the cellular antenna carefully on the new speaker assembly and follow the instruction video for reassembly below.

Replacing the cellular antenna

Remove the 2 screws holding the old assembly down and peel it off the speaker assembly. From here you can apply the new cellular antenna to the speaker assembly. Most will come with adhesive already on them and ready for installation. Be sure to put any folds or creases where necessary as some come flat and you’ll have to work it into place.

Reassemble your iPhone

Once you’ve gotten your new speaker assembly or cellular antenna reassembled using the steps above, you’ll just need to reassemble your iPhone 4. We’ve put together a reassembly video you can watch above.

And… done!

Your bottom loud speaker should now work or your cellular antenna should be back in working condition. As a side note, once replacing the cellular antenna you may have to toggle 3G on and off in certain cases.

Have you done this repair yourself? Let us know how it went! Want to know how to perform another type of iPhone repair or modification? Send me suggestions to ally.kazmucha@imore.com or leave a comment in our brand new Mod and DIY Repair Forum!

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!

Hot apps: Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land, Meeting Mapper, Tiny Review, Ringtones & Alert Tones Maker, The Very Cranky Bear

Every day the iPhone and iPad App Stores get flooded with new and updated apps and games, and every day we sort through them all to bring you the very best. Today’s hottest apps and updates include an RPG from the slimiest pits of the Old Ones, a cool and clever way to map your meetings, the shortest review app on the planet, a new ringtone creation app vying for the crown, and a much-loved children’s book comes to iPhone and iPad.

Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land

A turn-based strategy/role-playing game based on Call of Cthulhu RPG. Set in the midst of World War One, the game pits your team of investigators and soldiers against an ancient enemy, one older than humanity itself… Can your team of investigators keep their grip on sanity long enough to stop these diabolical plans? The fate of humanity is in your hands…

• $4.99 for iPhone and iPad – App Store link

Meeting Mapper

Documents all the important information in meetings and display a graphical depiction of your meetings. The information can be exported as a PDF and emailed and uploaded into your CRM application, SharePoint or just save it on your computer.

• $9.99 for iPad – App Store link

Tiny Review

Review stuff with just one photo and three lines of texts. Seriously, if they read how much we just wrote about them, they’d be pissed. (But now you can login with Twitter or email!)

• Free for iPhone – App Store link

Ringtones & Alert Tones Maker

Personalize your iPhone by creating your own ringtones, text tones and other alert tones with Ringtones & Alert Tones Maker. Choose the song you want to use as your ringtone, specify the type of your alert, then choose the required segment from the audio track.

• $0.99 for iPhone – App Store link

The Very Cranky Bear

The award winning and much loved children’s book, The Very Cranky Bear* is now an animated, interactive app! Join Moose, Zebra, Lion and Sheep as they try to hide from the rain in a cave, but accidentally disturb a very cranky bear…

• $4.99 for iPhone and iPad -App Store link

Any other big app or game releases or updates today?

Have an app you’d love to see featured on iMore? Email us at iosapps@imore.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Thousands Line Up for New iPhone Production Jobs at Foxconn Facilities in China

Back in late December, reports surfaced indicating that Foxconn was planning a major expansion of its iPhone production capabilities in Zhengzhou, China, with the company reportedly investing $1.1 billion and working with the Chinese government to recruit 100,000 new workers to the facility.


M.I.C gadget now reports that the hiring notices have gone out and thousands of prospective employees have lined up to apply for the positions.

On the 30th of January, thousands of hopefuls stood for hours outside a labor agency located in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, the largest city of Henan province in north-central China. The lines stretched more than 200 meters along the road, and the people who were waiting in line with their applications just hope to get a job at Foxconn, as the electronics contracting giant ramps up its iPhone production at Zhengzhou plant.

The report cites articles from the Chinese media noting that many of the applicants have prior work experience, with some of them seeking to transfer from Foxconn's other facilities in southern China to be closer to home.

Apple is of course in the middle of booming iPhone 4S sales following the device's launch last October and is now turning its attention to the rapidly-growing Chinese market where the device launched on China Unicom earlier this month and is expected to launch on China Telecom as soon as late next month. The company is obviously also looking ahead to the next-generation iPhone hardware that most expect will debut later this year.

Foxconn and Apple have come under increasing scrutiny over the treatment of employees in Apple's supply chain, with Foxconn being the highest-profile target due to its employment of hundreds of thousands of workers focused on manufacturing Apple products. Apple CEO Tim Cook has expressed concern over some of the allegations presented in recent media reports while also pointing to the company's continuing efforts on the workers' rights front including ongoing audits and outside monitoring of workplace conditions.


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Final Cut Pro X updated to turn your multi-cam iPhone videos into masterpieces

Apple has just released an update to Final Cut Pro X, their executive video editing software suite, which adds multi-camera syncing and broadcast monitoring suport. Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 also includes enhanced XML, so it can talk with third-party plug-ins more easily. As always, there’s a bunch of great audio, animation, and color correction tools in there which professionals have come to rely on.

So, okay, okay, maybe Final Cut Pro X is a little overkill for something shot on your iPhone 4S, especially with iMovie available right on the device, but if you’re knee-deep in the Apple lifestyle, maybe you like adding an extra layer of polish to your mobile videos. Or if you just shot your new music video with a four iPhone setup and need that new multi-cam sync. (Hey, it happens!)

Even though Final Cut Pro X is clearly built for, well, pros, it’s still interesting to see some people kit out their iPhones with all manner of video-enhancing accessories. While I can’t speak much to the quality of those videos versus something done with a “real” camera, I still admire folks who try to close the gap. A full-blown version of Final Cut Pro X on iPad — even the iPad 3 is still the stuff of legend, but I’d love to see a bunch of mobile companion apps to enhance desktop publishing. Adobe’s done a lot of stuff like this, and I think a similar strategy for Apple would be a great way to keep an iPad in the workflow. Even if Apple doesn’t take up the call, maybe the enhanced XML support will enable third parties to make some cool iPad companion apps for Final Cut Pro X. There are just so many separate panes and menus to keep in order when editing video, that it would be nice to shunt a few of the less vital ones to a separate display. Full press release after the jump.

• Free trial – Apple.com link.
• $299 – Mac App Store link,

CUPERTINO, California—January 31, 2012—Apple® today released Final Cut Pro® X v10.0.3, a significant update to its revolutionary professional video editing application, which introduces multicam editing that automatically syncs up to 64 angles of video and photos; advanced chroma keying for handling complex adjustments right in the app; and enhanced XML for a richer interchange with third party apps and plug-ins that support the fast growing Final Cut Pro X ecosystem. Available today as a free update from the Mac® App Store™, Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 also includes a beta of broadcast monitoring that supports Thunderbolt devices as well as PCIe cards.

Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 includes a collection of groundbreaking new tools for editing multicam projects. Final Cut Pro X automatically syncs clips from your shoot using audio waveforms, time and date, or timecode to create a Multicam Clip with up to 64 angles of video, which can include mixed formats, frame sizes and frame rates. The powerful Angle Editor allows you to dive into your Multicam Clip to make precise adjustments, and the Angle Viewer lets you play back multiple angles at the same time and seamlessly cut between them.

Final Cut Pro X builds upon its robust, one-step chroma key with the addition of advanced controls including color sampling, edge adjustment and light wrap. You can tackle complex keying challenges right in Final Cut Pro X, without having to export to a motion graphics application, and view your results instantly with realtime playback.

In the seven months since launch, the third party ecosystem around Final Cut Pro X has expanded dramatically. XML-compatible software like DaVinci Resolve and CatDV provide tight integration for tasks such as color correction and media management. The new 7toX app from Intelligent Assistance uses XML to import Final Cut Pro 7 projects into Final Cut Pro X. In addition, some of the industry’s largest visual effects developers, including GenArts and Red Giant, have developed motion graphics plug-ins that take advantage of the speed and real-time preview capabilities of Final Cut Pro X.

Broadcast monitoring in Final Cut Pro X is currently in beta and allows you to connect to waveform displays, vectorscopes, and calibrated, high-quality monitors to ensure that your project meets broadcast specifications. Final Cut Pro X supports monitoring of video and audio through Thunderbolt I/O devices, as well as through third party PCIe cards.

Pricing & Availability Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 is available from the Mac App Store for $299.99 (US) to new users, or as a free update for existing Final Cut Pro X customers. A 30-day free trial of Final Cut Pro X is available at www.apple.com/finalcutpro/trial. Full system requirements and more information on Final Cut Pro X can be found at www.apple.com/finalcutpro.

Apple Maybe Working On An NFC Based Payment System For The Next iPhone

A Fast Company interview with a MasterCard executive seems to indicate that Apple is speaking to various companies, including MasterCard, about its long rumored NFC based iPhone. The executive didn’t confirm anything outright when asked about NFC and Apple, citing … Continue reading →

Apple Hong Kong revives reserve and pick up page, wants to stop iPhones going abroad

In a bid to keep iPhones sold in Hong Kong on the island nation, Apple has reintroduced reserve and pick up pages for the smartphones. The difference this time around is the inclusion of the customer's Hong Kong identity card number within the registration form, which goes live between 9am and 12pm each day. The aim is put breaks on the speculative smartphone buyers picking up several devices to mule across to mainland China. You'll still need a bit of luck; Apple performs a random draw each day for those that registered, and 'winners' are informed via email. Each card can apparently buy a limited quantity of the in-demand phone -- one that's getting some smartphone obsessives a little too hot under the collar.

Apple Hong Kong revives reserve and pick up page, wants to stop iPhones going abroad originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spigen Releases Tempered Glass Screen Protector For iPhone

Ever since Apple launched the iPhone, which came with a glass screen (instead of plastic), one of the popular iPhone accessories is a screen protector. Typically these screen protectors are made of plastic. However, folks at Spigen have an interesting … Continue reading →

Daily deal: Ballistic Shell Gel (SG) Series Case for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 only $18.95

For today only, the TiPb Store has the Ballistic Shell Gel (SG) Series Case for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 on sale for only $18.95!. Get them before they’re gone!

Get the Ballistic Shell Gel (SG) Series Case for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 now!

The Ballistic SG Series case for the iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 offers three layers of protection.

The first and outermost layer is made of soft TPU which will help absorb the shock of a drop. In addition, this first layer is co-molded onto layer number two, which is made of a tough impact resistant polycarbonate.

Last but not least, the third layer, which is the inner-most layer, is made of a soft silicone. This layer also includes Ballistic corners, which means all four corner have extra shock absorption where you need it the most.

Features:

• 3-layers of protection
• Soft TPU skin
• Impact resistant polycarbonate
• Ballistic corners for ultimate drop protection

China Telecom May Launch iPhone 4S by Late February

Following a report from Marbridge Consulting yesterday claiming that sources within China Telecom had revealed that a deal had been struck with Apple for the iPhone 4S, China Daily reports that China Telecom subsidiary Beijing Telecom has confirmed plans for an iPhone 4S release as soon as late February.

In a news release on Monday, Beijing Telecom Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China Telecom, said the CDMA-version iPhone 4S is likely to hit the domestic market by the end of February, or at the beginning of March. However, no pricing details were disclosed.

"China Telecom has already started preparatory work for the launch of the iPhone 4S," according to the press release.

With the iPhone 4S being a world-mode device capable of operating on both GSM and CDMA networks, previous regulatory approvals that were required to allow the device to be launched by Apple's long-standing partner carrier China Unicom earlier this month helped pave the way for the device to make its way to China Telecom.


China Telecom currently has over 125 million subscribers on its mobile services, with over 36 million of those on its 3G network as of December 2011, nearly three times the 12 million 3G subscribers the carrier had one year earlier. The addition of China Telecom will leave China Mobile, the world's largest carrier, as the only one of China's three major carriers lacking the iPhone. Efforts on a China Mobile iPhone have been slowed by the carrier's use of TD-SCDMA technology for its 3G network, technology that would require specially-designed iPhone hardware to run on the network.


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China Telecom to start selling the iPhone 4S before March

According to a report in China Daily, China Telecom may become the second Chinese wireless carrier to carry the iPhone 4S. The carrier reportedly released a press release on Tuesday with the big news. "China Telecom has already started preparatory work for the launch of the iPhone 4S," says the press release.

The CDMA carrier has the three operating licenses it needs from the government and could start selling the iPhone 4S as early as February. The Chinese government granted the final permit, which recognizes the device as qualified, on Monday says the website of the China Compulsory Certification Online Service Center. The other two permits were granted earlier in January.

This report shouldn't come as a surprise to those watching Apple closely. Several times last year analysts and Asian newspapers claimed the carrier is negotiating with Apple to get the iPhone on its network. The Cupertino company also views China as its next big market and hinted during its last earnings conference call that it would expand to another carrier soon.

[Via 9to5Mac]

China Telecom to start selling the iPhone 4S before March originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

China Telecom to start selling the iPhone 4S before March originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Updates Final Cut Pro X with Multicam Support, Advanced Chroma Keying, and XML Support

Following up on promises to bring support for major features such as multicam editing and XML compatibility, Apple today announced the launch of Final Cut Pro X v. 10.0.3 with a number of enhancements. The release follows another major update released last September and another minor one released in November.

Apple today released Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3, a significant update to its revolutionary professional video editing application, which introduces multicam editing that automatically syncs up to 64 angles of video and photos; advanced chroma keying for handling complex adjustments right in the app; and enhanced XML for a richer interchange with third party apps and plug-ins that support the fast growing Final Cut Pro X ecosystem. Available today as a free update from the Mac App Store, Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 also includes a beta of broadcast monitoring that supports Thunderbolt devices as well as PCIe cards.

Apple also notes that several third-party developers have also taken steps to expand the capabilities of Final Cut Pro X, including the new release of 7toX [Mac App Store, $9.99] from Assisted Editing to move Final Cut Pro 7 projects to Final Cut Pro X.


Multicam editing in Final Cut Pro X v.10.0.3
Final Cut Pro X [Mac App Store] is available in the Mac App Store and is priced at $299.99. The new 10.0.3 update appears to still be rolling out to the store and may not be available for all users yet.

Update: Apple has also released Motion 5.0.2 [Mac App Store, $49.99], bringing several enhancements to the effect editor that serves as a companion to Final Cut Pro.

• Improved speed and responsiveness of text editing
- Ability to automatically add animation keyframes when recording is disabled
- Keyboard shortcut for re-positioning animation curves or paths
- Ability to adjust the pan and scale of an image in a drop zone
- Enhanced look of the Keyframe editor for easier keyframe viewing and editing

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Apple appoints John Browett as Senior Vice President of Retail

Apple has appointed John Browett as their new Senior Vice President of Retail. Mr Browett will be leaving his position of CEO of Dixons Retail, Europe’s largest specialist electrical retailer.

“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”

Prior to taking the reins of the Dixon Group, Browett also held high positions within Tesco plc and even had the CEO role for Tesco.com. Browett replaces former retail head, Ron Johnson who left Apple in the summer of last year to take the post of CEO at JC Penney.

Full press release below.

John Browett Joins Apple as Senior Vice President of Retail

CUPERTINO, California—January 30, 2012—Apple® today announced that John Browett will join the company as senior vice president of Retail, reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Browett comes to Apple from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he has been CEO since 2007. Beginning in April, he will be responsible for Apple’s retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world.

“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”

Prior to joining Dixons Retail, Browett held a series of executive positions at Tesco plc including CEO of Tesco.com. Earlier in his career he advised retail and consumer goods clients at Boston Consulting Group. He holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and an MBA from Wharton Business School.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Daily iPad App: Paper Monsters

I've found that iOS isn't the best platform (so to speak) for platformers. I love games like Mario and Sonic, where you drive a little character around, jumping between platforms and collecting goodies. The lack of physical buttons on Apple's touch screens (and let's face it: cheaper production values) make it hard to pull off a great platformer. Often times developers are forced to cut corners or really stretch to generate new ideas.

Not so with Paper Monsters (US$.0.99, universal). Crescent Moon's latest is a traditional platform game (complete with double jumps and warp pipes), and it plays that role perfectly. The little box-headed character can navigate the colorful and nicely-designed environments with skill thanks to some well-turned controls. The whole experience shines through the iOS platform right back to the classic days of 2D platforming.

There are some new tricks, too. At times, the action feels more like Little Big Planet than Mario's old adventures, with solid 3D graphics and some interesting twists, like playing in the background scenery.

Paper Monsters is a lot of fun, and there's plenty to keep you engaged through all 16 levels. It's available as a universal version right now for just 99 cents.

Daily iPad App: Paper Monsters originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Daily iPad App: Paper Monsters originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top free iPhone app devs paying $1.81 in marketing per loyal user

Fiksu, a mobile marketing firm, released some interesting data on how much money top iPhone app developers are spending on promoting their creations. After looking at the top 200 free iPhone App Store for December, the average cost to get someone to run an app more than three times is $1.81. This is up significantly from $1.41 in November. Fiksu also determined that the App Store saw a little over  6 million daily downloads in December, helped in no small part by the oodles of Christmas sales. In fact,m the last week of December saw advertising budgets (and traffic) double. Fiksu gathered up this information through their marketing platform, which spans over 200 million downloads, and 11 billion in-app actions. App Store rankings freeze between December 25 and 28, which creates a rush to get top position beforehand, so you hold that visibility while folks start downloading apps on their new iPhones. Fiksu CEO Micah Adler said:

“For so many app brands, December is a strategically critical month for app discovery. What we witnessed during the month was a ‘land rush’ in which advertisers earnestly spent marketing dollars in order to achieve ranking before the traditional App Store freeze which then would generate substantial organic downloads through increased visibility.”

It paints a harsh picture of the app development world when you have to pay nearly two bucks just to get someone to run your app a couple of times, nevermind spend any money on in-app purchases, or click on any ads. With iPhone app download volume climbing, and showing no signs of letting up, it’s bound to put a lot of pressure on developers to compete. Considering all the noise, discoverability is huge, and it’s not entirely surprising to see publishers willing to pay so much to get it.

Of course, if developers just wrote good apps and dropped us a line, maybe they’d get some free advertising by way of our Daily Apps series. Jussayin’.

Apple Hires Dixons CEO John Browett as Senior Vice President of Retail

Apple’s Senior Vice President of Retail – Rob Johnson who along with Steve Jobs pioneered the concept of Apple Retail Stores and the Genius Bar left Apple to join J. C. Penny as the CEO in November 2011. Apple search … Continue reading →

Apple Releases iOS-Like AirPort Utility 6.0 For Mac OS X Lion

Apple has released an updated version of AirPort Utility for Mac OS X Lion. The updated version looks a lot like the iOS app that is available for iPhone and iPad. The Airport Utility app allows users to manage their Wi-Fi … Continue reading →

iPhone 4S demand finally satisfied, all models now in stock for next day delivery

Apple has finally caught up with the huge demand for the iPhone 4S. For the first time since its launch way back in October, all models of the iPhone 4S are now shown as in stock.

No matter which model you go for, 16GB, 32GB or 64GB or which carrier you choose from AT&T, Verizon or Sprint, they are all in stock. Even the unlocked and contract free models too.

Source: Apple Store

Case-Mate POP! Case with Stand for iPad 2 review [Giveaway]

“If you want your iPad 2 to finally be able to stand on its own, then the Case-Mate Pop! Case is for you. “

The Case-Mate Pop! Case with Stand for the iPad 2 brings the same blend of protection and kickstand-enabled performance to the iPad 2 as it’s younger, smaller sibling does for the iPhone 4S. And like with the iPhone version, that’s a very good thing.

Available in two-tone black or white, the Case-Mate Pop! Case with Stand for the iPhone 2 is composed of hard, protective rubber shell and soft, easy-to-grip rubberized sides. The shell feels strong and can handle any minor impact that might otherwise scratch or dent your precious iPad. The sides are what make the difference for me, however, as they really let you grab a hold, and keep a hold, on what’s sometimes a slippery device.

The stand folds out from the back and does a great job either staying open or being closed. However, unlike the iPhone version, there’s no ability to set an angle in between. You either have to keep it closed, set it open, or watch it flap about. Awkward.

The Case-Mate Pop! Case for iPad 2 does a great job protecting the back but the sides feel a little loose at times. I’ve seen this on numerous iPad cases and while it might just be that these materials don’t hold up well over long surfaces like the edges around the iPad’s 9.7-inch screen, I still wish they’d figure that out.

But this case is really about the kick stand, and how it lets you put your iPad 2 down yet keep watching your movies, following your recipes, reading your books, typing your notes, or any other of a dozen activities.

The Good

• Offers good protection for the back and sides
• Material provides for excellent grip
• Stand works in either portrait or landscape mode
• Rubberized edge keep the stand in place

The Bad

• Edges could be slightly more form-fitting
• No angle adjustments options for stand

The conclusion

If you want your iPad 2 to finally be able to stand up on its own, then the Case-Mate Pop! Case is for you. Wonderfully grippy, nicely protective, the Case-Mate Pop! Case for iPad 2 is everything you could want in a movie-watching, note-typing, kickstand-packing accessory.

The giveaway

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Green Charge: an app that helps your EV talk to you (video)

Continue reading Green Charge: an app that helps your EV talk to you (video)

Green Charge: an app that helps your EV talk to you (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands on with the Crimson cases, sticker skins, and edgings for iPhone

Crimson makes some colorful, sparkly cases, skins, and edgings for the iPhone, and I know this because while at Macworld 2012, I noticed a couple people sporting them around the antennas of their iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S’s. This is what drew me towards Crimson’s booth.

Crimson offers many options for adding personality and protection to your iPhone. Currently available is the Aluminum Frame Case and six different types of screen protectors. In the near future, Crimson will be offering skins for the backs and antennas of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Most of these skins are colorful and sparkly, but there will also be options that are more subtle and “manly”.

While visiting their booth, I picked up a purple skin for the back of my iPhone 4S and a purple Aluminum Frame case. I may be enjoying my sparkly skin, but I’ll admit to not being a huge fan of the case. The nubby corners are a turn off and add quite a bit of bulk to the overall size of my iPhone. If the corners were small and rounded, I may actually consider using it regularly.

• Variable – Amazon Store link