The iPod Nation

The popular iPhone app PhoneSaber which was removed from the App Store because of copyright issues will make a return very soon with the new name PhoneSaber Unleashed. TheMacBox who originally published the PhoneSaber app was asked by THQ to pull the app from the App Store but has confirmed that THQ wants to collaborate on an official version. The name PhoneSaber Unleashed seems to be a marketing move to be rereleased with the release of the new game Star Wars the Force Unleased which is due in stores this month. No pricing has been set yet, hopefully they keep this popular app free.

-Ray

[Source: macenstein]

Apps have been kicked off the Apple App Store for a while now and no one knew exactly why. One iPhone App developer got an email that showed the reason. According to Apple an app needs to serve a purpose or perform a significant function to be allowed on the App Store. There are quite a few apps on the App Store that seem to not serve any purpose at all yet they still remain, this seems a bit unfair for the developers who have had their apps removed.

“Hello Developer,

We’ve reviewed your application Pull My Finger. We have determined that this application is of limited utility to the broad iPhone and iPod touch user community, and will not be published to the App Store.

It may be very appropriate to share with friends and family, and we recommend you review the Ad Hoc method on the Distribution tab of the iPhone Developer Portal for details on distributing this application among a small group of people of your choosing.

Regards,

Victor Wang
Worldwide Developer Relations
Apple, Inc.”

-Ray

[Source: topiphonenews]

Imagination Technologies has just announced that they signed a multi-year, multi-use license agreement with an unnamed company. This license agreement gives the unnamed company access to Imagination’s various PowerVC graphics and video cores. There is much speculation that the unnamed company is Apple, since Apple uses Imagination’s fourth-generation PowerVC chipset in the iPhone and iPod Touch. Imagination released the following statement:

As a result of this new agreement, it is expected that Imagination’s IP cores will feature in a number of new SoCs to be used in this company’s future products. Under the terms of the above licensing arrangement, Imagination will receive on-going licence fees as well as royalty revenues on SoCs incorporating Imagination’s IP.

There are also reports from EETimes that Apple also secured a license agreement with ARM, which also powers both the iPhone and the iPod Touch. If these rumors are true, Apple will be able to deliver custom chipsets for their future products. Again, this means only good news for us consumers.

- Geoff

[Source:MacRumors]

Here’s a head-to-head review of the Sprint Samsung Instinct the LG Vu and the Apple iPhone done by the folks at phonedog.com.

-Ray

[Source: youtube]

According to Gizmodo, several people in the industry have confirmed that they have seen the iPhone display 1080p videos with no problems at all. This could mean great things for the iPhone, if the rumors of iTunes 8 going HD are true. If the rumors of iTunes 8 possessing HD video clips, they could easily be played on any iPhone or iPod Touch. If the HD clips are similar to Apple TV’s HD clips, which only run on 720p, then the iPhone’s 620MHz processor could handle the load even more easily. This HD capability of the iPhone and the iPod Touch can take the two products to great new lengths. Again, this is all speculation as we have to wait for Apple to make their move, or just make an announcement. Please check back as more information comes our way.

- Geoff

[Source: Gizmodo]

The Eton P’9120 is a stylish iPod dock and clock radio that does all the cool things a clock radio does, like play the radio or iPod tunes and wake you up, but this one isn’t like all the other clock radios out there. This one is designed by Porsche, yea the guys who build fast cars. Not only does it play FM radio stations that the commoners listen to, it plays XM satellite radio as well. The Eton P’9120 designed by Porsche goes for about $600.

-Ray

[Source: dvice]

Let’s face it, sometimes the batteries in our cell phones just aren’t enough and usually they start to lose much of their juice as they get older. That’s where a mini battery extender for your iPhone 3G comes in and saves the day. The Kensington Mini Battery Extender is a rechargeable battery that helps extend the talk time of your iPhone 3G. iPhoneNewsBlog did a useful review of the Kensington Mini Battery Extender and charger below:

I’ve had the Kensington Mini Battery Extender and Charger since the first week I had my iPhone 3G and it’s become a very handy accessory for me. There are many ways to save battery life on the iPhone 3G and first generation iPhone, but lets face it: eventually, you will have a day where you’ve used all of your iPhone’s juice and you’ll have no way to plug it in to recharge. Apple’s design doesn’t allow for a user replaceable battery, so until they design an iPhone with one, this is probably one of your best bets.

The Kensington Mini Battery Extender is a very nice size and matches the iPhone 3G or original iPhone in width. The case is made of metal, not plastic which is nice. It gives you confidence that this battery is well made. It also has 3 battery level lights (blue LED) and a low power warning/charging light that shows red when low and green when the iPhone is fully charged.

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The popular task management game Diner Dash from PlayFirst was recently released for the iPhone. It’s available from the App Store for $9.99. The game puts you in the role of restaurant owner Flo and your mission is to build a chain of successful restaurants. In the game you have to serve your customers quickly, manage tables, clean up, collect tips and get new customers before the clock runs out. The more money you make the more you can invest in your restaurant in hopes to make more money and open new food joints. Diner Dash for the iPhone has 50 levels, six kinds of customers and two modes of play and is really fun. Who needs to work at Denny’s when you can just play a little bit of Diner Dash and do all the hard work without having to actually change your name to Flo? Diner Dash is available for the iPhone and iPod touch with iPhone software 2.0.

-Ray

[Source: macworld]

Engadget Spanish found what appears to be a case for the 4th generation iPod Nano while at the IFA expo. The case and an image of the new iPod nano leaked show the 4th generation to be taller and more rounded with a larger screen. The case is by the maker Hama and was labeled “iPod nano 4G”

-Ray

[Source: macrumors]

A photo of the new 4th generation iPod nano were leaked on the B2B marketplace site Alibaba recently. As we reported before, the screen for the new nano is much larger almost like a Zune. The ad appears to be for a screen protector but it’s not certain if this an official photo or just one mocked up by the company selling the screen protectors. It’s been confirmed that an Apple event will take place on September 9, this could be where Apple officially launches the new 4th gen iPod nano.

-Ray

[Source: macrumors]