Apps Rush: David Bowie, Twilight Graphic Novel, Contract Killer: Zombies and more

A selection of 12 apps for you today:

Magazine publisher IPC Media has launched a new magazine app for iPad based on the career of David Bowie. It’s branded as Uncut, and draws on interviews from the archives of NME and Melody Maker, with YouTube videos, audio clips, artwork and photographs thrown in for good measure.iPad

Glu Mobile’s freemium game Contract Killer has been very popular, but now there’s a new undead spin-off. Expect lots of shooting, chewing and, of course, seeping brains. the link above is for the Android version, but you can get the iOS version here.iPhone / iPad / Android

Publisher Hachette has released the second installment of vampire saga Twilight’s graphic novels. the iOS app sees Bella embracing her feelings for classmate Edward, with scenes rendered in stylish monochrome.iPhone / iPad

Owners of a Slingbox set-top box can now sling their TV to their Android tablet over 3G or Wi-Fi, thanks to the new app from Sling Media. the app includes a new programme guide to surf channels while watching TV.Android

Android mobile browser Bolt has exited its beta test and got a commercial release, in version 3.0. the browser’s key selling points are its ability to compress web pages to save data and speed up surfing, while social features, RSS and the ability to play Facebook games are also thrown in.Android

Casual physics-puzzler Aiko Island has all the ingredients of an iOS hit, as players pop blocks, collect cookies and work their way through 125 puzzles. the animation and music give a real feeling of polish.iPhone / iPad

Cab:App claims to be an “electronic hailing system”: a way to hail a taxi in London from your phone, including the ability to instant message drivers with specific details about your location. Cab-sharing is also supported, to share the costs with other people going in the same direction. It’s the brainchild of cabbie Peter Schive, and developed by Grapple Mobile.iPhone / Android / BlackBerry

This add-on to Norton’s Tablet Security app promises to help Android tablet owners lock and locate their device, while keeping their personal data safe if it’s lost or stolen.Android

Mobile social games firm Papaya has a new version of its Papaya Farm game, although it makes clear that the game’s beta nature means some bugs may still be lurking within. Players build and manage their own virtual farms, with online multiplayer features built in.Android

Another freemium game from Glu Mobile, this is about building a colony of ants and bees, keeping them well-fed and fending off “Stinky Bugs and Ant Lions”. In-app purchases are used to buy coins and acorns to speed up progress.iPhone

Facebook Photo Importer is a useful utility app from Dropico Media that promises to import up to 100 photos from Picasa, Flickr, Instagram or Photobucket to your Facebook account in less than a minute.iPhone

HP has launched a free iPhone app that wants to get people creating their own greetings cards, invitations and calendars, then printing them out or sharing via email and Facebook.iPhone

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AccessoryGeeks.com Reviews the iPhone 3GS Magpul Field Case – The Geek's Guide

Hey guys, this is Mario from the AccessoryGeeks.com and Today I’m reviewing the iField case by Magpul for the iPhone 3G or 3GS. I had the chance3 to actually throw this case around without the phone inside it because Maxine does not want her phone to be thrown around. so we’re just gonna.. you know, see how it looks and… we’re just actually just gonna see how it looks. so really pretty simple packaging right here. The corkboard I guess they tried to be green. this is kinda cool because we are trying to be green too. The AccessoryGeeks is going green and greener and green thus. so this is the Field case by Magpul for the iPhone 3G, 3GS. It’s pretty easy to put it on. But, before that I’m gonna show you the material a little bit. this seems to be like fifty percent silicone and fifty percent plastic. It’s really sturdy, I actually chalked this across the room already without the phone inside. I did not wanna destroy Maxine’s phone. But it is really, really sturdy.. it’s sturdier than regular silicone case, that’s how that “plastically” feel to it. this is really strong actually.. and then it’s really easy to put it on just like any other silicone cases, just slide it in. All the ports are open, this is the mic jack, the hold on and off, volume controls, the speakers and the data-cable port and the camera port is still open. Also not only that all the ports are open, the volume up and down buttons and the power button actually come with the cover it’s like the ridged cover.. you can see it over there so you could get like a better grip on the case. It’s actually pretty cool not a lot of cases like that.. and I really like that about this case. if I have an iPhone I would actually probably buy this because it’s really simple-looking.. and I don’t like.. personally I don’t like bully cases, I don’t like extravagant cases. I prefer anything black in one color. so, if you like me, get this case by Magpul , it’s for the field case. You get it from the AccessoryGeeks.com and.. remember, you got it from a geek

I’ll buy the iPhone 4S, and so should you

You’ve waited 16 months for this announcement, and all you get is a stinking upgrade to the iPhone 4? You know, that doubling of processor speed and drastic increase in graphics handling isn’t enough. The fact that CDMA customers will have worldphone capability thanks to dual-mode functionality? Pshaw.

Honestly folks, lets get real here. Apple certainly set the precedent with the iPhone 3GS that it plans to ride out designs for more than a year, giving them a speed bump mid-run. this is smart: it gives Apple more time to focus on creating truly innovative designs as well as separate features enough that each device can stand on its own.

I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not a big fan of the iPhone 4’s design: I just think it does not reflect the true ingenuity of Apple’s design team. but what they’ve put into the iPhone 4S in all honesty has made this a much bigger leap forward than we saw from the iPhone 3G to the 3GS, and has made it attractive enough to even myself.

Just look at the specifications: 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording capability. a combined GSM and CDMA phone. Up to eight hours talk time. Dual-antenna capabilities that push the limits of 3G to 14.4Mbps. yes it’s not real “4G,” but it’s going to be the fastest 3G phone out there.

Give Apple credit. they all knew LTE wouldn’t be ready in time for the company to release a phone based on it, and battery life on LTE phones stink. Apple is going to squeeze as much as they can out of the 3G network before making the switch without much compromise.

Say “What?”

Siri is probably the biggest reason why you should upgrade, though — it is for me. Watching the demonstration of this, I’m very excited about Siri. Android users are quick to argue that the platform has voice commands, too, but that’s not what this is (iOS 4 did too, so what’s it to you?).

Please read counterpoint: “You can have iPhone 4S, I’ll take Samsung Galaxy S II”

Instead you are able to communicate with the device in a more natural manner. Ask it questions, tell it what you need. That’s a real advancement in how we interact with our smart devices and sets the bar higher for its competitors. Is it gimmicky? Yeah probably, but hey if you can do mundane tasks without ever needing to touch a button I’m all for it.

Star Trek anyone?

Could Apple have reached for the stars here and given us our mythical teardrop wide-screened iPhone 5? Of course it could but it wouldn’t have made sense. why release a completely new design without a major advancement like LTE included? it would have cheapened the allure of any future device once it’s announced, and probably also hurt potential sales.

LTE (or heck, WiMAX) doesn’t matter my friends, as it’s a gimmick at this point and inaccessible to the large majority of us. Apple is showing restraint by not releasing a half-baked product just to play tit for tat with Android.

Bottom line, the 4S returns Apple to a position among the best smartphones available whether it has 4G or not. While it’s not what the technorati wanted, that really doesn’t matter. Apple needs to focus on the average consumer first, rather than the gotta-have-it crowd: they’re not dealing with multiple manufacturers here, just themselves.

Look at the announcement of a free iPhone 3GS and a $99 iPhone 4 (hey, wasn’t best Buy offering the 3GS free in August?). these are announcements aimed not at us, but your everyday consumer. Android can no longer claim the mantle of the cheap smartphone anymore. That’s a wise business move.

In many cases, the iPhone 4 will surpass almost every competing Android device at the same price point. And the 3GS, while certainly aging, will be satisfactory for the basic smartphone user and still runs iOS 5.

There’s really nothing to be disappointed about here. The iPhone 4S is a worthy phone, and if you have Apple as your horse in this smartphone race you should be applauding this strategy.

I am, and I will certainly be preordering my iPhone 4S this week. if you’re eligible too, there’s no good reason why you shouldn’t either.

Editor’s Note: Ed is upgrading from iPhone 3GS.

The Magic Cube: Will Your Next Keyboard be Virtual?

Given the rate of change with computers over the years, what's with the lack of change in keyboards?

Our computers have decreased in size 99% over the last 10 years, but keyboards? They're still the same. we still accumulate years’ worth of lint, dust, and potato chip crumbs. Heaven forbid we want to use our computers while eating a cheeseburger or the keys will be greasy for the next 3-6 months. Do we really need all those keys? Why do they keep adding more functions to the function keys?

So far the best anyone's been able to do is give us canned air or a keyboard cover.

Our frustrations with keyboards appear to be never ending, but maybe we shouldn't speak so soon.

Though it may not win any awards for product title originality, the magic cube is a portable device that projects a laser keyboard onto any flat surface. you can't get food stuck in it, spill a super-size ultra-hot coffee on it or dislodge any of the keys from gaming too hard.

And the best part: it's compatible with iPhone, Android, iPad and any Bluetooth enabled device. we have enough to worry about between running down our smart phone batteries with hours of web surfing, tweeting or Facebook stalking that we can barely have time to read through our text messages for any wayward autocorrect fixes.

Gone are the days of touchtone keys, out-of-this-world typos, hitting the return key by accident on the iPhone or wishing your thumbs weren't so big. The magic cube is super portable, has mouse capabilities, and handwriting recognition software.

The possibilities are nearly endless. for those of us who spend the better part of everyday texting, we can now do so with increased speed and agility. Are you a student? Set up on your desktop. The professor will never know what you're doing. Texting at work? Never easier.

Continued on the next page    

Teardown: iPhone 4S costs $188 to make

On the outside, the iPhone 4S may have disappointed some with its perceived lack of new features. But on the inside, the latest member of the iPhone line includes a wealth of innovation, including a new wireless module with a unique custom module from Avago Technologies — and the first use of a Hynix Semiconductor Inc. NAND flash memory in an Apple iPhone product, according to a new IHS iSuppli teardown analysis.

The baseline iPhone 4S model with 16 gigabytes (GB) of NAND flash memory carries a bill of materials (BOM) of $188. when the additional $8 manufacturing cost is added in, the total increases to $196.

The other iPhone 4S models are identical to the baseline version, with the exception of the addition of more NAND flash. this gives the mid range, 32GB model a BOM of $207, and the high-end 64GB version a BOM of $245.

The analyst firm said the teardown assessments are preliminary in nature, and account only for hardware costs and do not include other expenses such as software, licensing, royalties or other expenditures.

“While the iPhone 4S shares many common design elements with the two iPhone 4 models already on the market, the new device’s status as a world phone has resulted in fascinating design and component changes,” said Andrew Rassweiler, senior director for teardown services at IHS.

“Key among these changes is a custom part from Avago that helps give the iPhone 4S its unique capability to be used in multiple wireless systems globally, while still keeping costs down. In another surprise development, the 4S employs a Hynix NAND flash memory device. While IHS has already confirmed multiple suppliers for this part, it does mark the first time that IHS has identified a Hynix NAND flash in an iPhone, as opposed to devices from Samsung Electronics Co. ltd. or Toshiba Corp. seen in all previous iPhone and iPad teardowns.”

Change is in the air

The wireless section of the iPhone 4S brings a significant upgrade in capabilities compared to previous members of the iPhone line, employing a dual-mode design that supports air standards for all wireless service partners supported by Apple worldwide.

This represents a unique design approach compared to that used by most cell phone makers, which use different models with unique wireless subsystems to support various wireless carriers’ standards.

It also represents a major upgrade from the iPhone 4, which used two separate versions to support the high-speed packet access (HSPA) and code division multiple access (CDMA) wireless networks.

Enter the Avago

A critical component enabling the worldwide capability of iPhone 4S is the ACPM-7181 converged power amplifier module (PAM) from the previously unheralded supplier Avago.

A PAM is a device that amplifies a radio signal prior to transmission. what makes the converged Avago part unique is its capability to support both 2G and 3G cellular technologies across multiple bands thus reducing the number of components and PC board footprint required.

While Avago is by no means the only company supplying these types of devices, it is the first to be implemented by Apple.

“Avago’s ACPM-7181 is a unique and valuable part in the iPhone 4S wireless subsystem, representing a truly converged power amplifier that can be used across global wireless systems,” Rassweiler said.

“This custom device merges the functionality previously implemented in three separate components in the HSPA iPhone 4 model: the two Skyworks Solutions Inc. PAMs and one TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. PAM. this is a very special converged approach that gives Apple a real technology lead over most other manufacturers, further reducing the complexity of the radio frequency/power amplifier (RF/PA) section of the iPhone line beyond Apple’s already highly-integrated design.”

Beyond benefitting Apple, the iPhone design win also may turn out to be a major boon for Avago.

“Avago presently is ranked as a second-tier supplier well behind leading power amplifier suppliers such as Skyworks, RFMD and TriQuint,” said Francis Sideco, senior principal analyst for wireless communications for IHS.

“However, with the inclusion of its custom PAM in the highly popular iPhone line, Avago now is going to be in contention to become a first-tier supplier.”

Qualcomm scores a win

Another key device enabling the global wireless capability of the iPhone 4S is the MDM6610 baseband processor from Qualcomm.

“Qualcomm obviously is a big winner in the 4S, with company now taking sole ownership of the baseband processor position with its MDM6610 device,” said Wayne Lam, senior analyst for wireless communications for IHS.

“While the Qualcomm MDM6600 was in the CDMA version of the iPhone 4, the Intel (formerly Infineon Technologies AG) PMB9801 was used in the HSPA model. In the iPhone 4S, Qualcomm no longer has to share the iPhone 4 baseband design win with Intel. it will be interesting to see how Intel responds in terms of winning back this socket in the next design cycle.”

Hynix makes a surprise appearance

In the individual iPhone 4S torn down by IHS, the NAND flash was supplied by South Korean memory manufacturer Hynix. this represents a major design win for the company, with the NAND device accounting for a major portion of the value of the iPhone 4S.

Toshiba has also been positively identified as a second source for the NAND in other iPhone 4S samples.

In the 16GB version of the 4S, the memory subsystem costs $19.20, making it the second most expensive single component after the display. however, the cost of the NAND rises to $38.40 in the 32GB version and to $76.80 in the 64GB model, making it the most expensive set of components in the system.

Other innovations

Other new components in the iPhone 4S include the use of a dual core A5 apps processor. just as with the A4 used in iPhone 4, the part appears to be manufactured by Samsung, based on die markings on the product.

In another change, the camera module in the iPhone 4S features an 8 megapixel camera, compared to a 5 megapixel device used in the iPhone 4. The camera uses a backside illumination (BSI) image sensor that improves photo quality, especially in low light, but also adds cost to the system.

Sony was the supplier of the image sensor in the individual model torn down by IHS, but Apple likely is using a secondary source for this device: OmniVision.

Design leftovers

While there are changes, the iPhone 4S maintains many of the same design elements and components as the iPhone 4 models.

One major area that has remained the same is the display and touch screen section, which together represent the single most expensive subsystem in the iPhone 4S.

Other components that were more or less unchanged include the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Frequency Modulation (FM) module from Murata Manufacturing Co. ltd. and Broadcom Corp. and the audio codec from Cirrus Logic.

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The man, the myth, the product

As the tributes pour in for Steve Jobs, the scope of his legacy grows, from distant reaches of the globe to places much closer to home.

These words are being written on something with an Apple on it. most of the words I’ve ever written have been on something with that familiar logo. My creativity resides in my iMac, or my MacBook, or the ones before that.

Jobs’ 2005 commencement address at Stanford University is ricocheting through cyberspace, both in video and transcript form. it is remarkable. The man who had been put up for adoption at birth, never graduated from college and had been living with cancer for years said that being fired may have been the most valuable moment in his career —and that security and conventional definitions of “success” can be the greatest impediments to true creativity.

“Stay hungry, stay foolish,” he advised.

He’s been likened to Thomas Edison as an inventor, Henry Ford as a manufacturer and Walmart founder Sam Walton as a retailer, all rolled into one.

He was also the Walt Disney of our times, not only for his part in the creation of Pixar animation, but for sharing Walt’s belief in imagination as the spark of the human spirit. Friday, June 29, 2007, after customers had waited in line all night to buy the first iPhones, was also the day Pixar’s “Ratatouille” opened in theaters … in first place at the box office.

Amidst all the eulogies lies a sometimes overlooked chapter in his past. Rather than studying computer engineering or some other tech field in college, Jobs had been drawn to calligraphy.

Somehow that feels crucial in the rise and fall and rise again of Apple. It’s that elegant sense of design, from the bite out of the Apple through the proportionately scaled fonts on the screen, all the way to the techno-chic of the iPad or latest iPhone that makes them essential fashion accessories as much as auxiliary brains you can carry in your pocket.

One of Steve Jobs’ favorite words to describe Apple style was “cool!” His enthusiasm was as much his trademark as the jeans and black long-sleeved T-shirts at those product launches that made him the rock star of geekdom.

It’s hard to think of anyone in our lifetimes who has played such a far-reaching role shaping the world we live in. Hollywood is already amping up to do the movie version of Walter Isaacson’s upcoming biography of Jobs, although words like “driven,” “demanding,” “dissatisfied” and “demons” are showing up in the early buzz about the book’s subject.

The media hubbub makes it hard, when it comes to Steve Jobs, to sort out the man, the myth and the product. Equally fascinating and ambiguous were the personal expressions flooding email trees and social networks following his death last week.

It was as though we had lost a close member of the family, even though he wasn’t really. he had gone to my wife’s high school, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak had grown up around the corner from her in Sunnyvale, Calif. That’s as close as I come.

Still, for many, Steve Jobs’ passing seems to have left a huge hole in their personal identities. The term is Apple “fanboys,” even though my dear personal friends who obsess over each and every new Mac product are too old to actually be “boys,” and some don’t pass the gender test, either.

As protests against Wall Street and corporate greed continue to grow and spread across the country, I can’t help noticing that Apple gets a pass. So do working conditions in the Chinese plant manufacturing the latest i-Whatever, whose employees were using the roof for suicide leaps before the managers put up nets to stop the falls.

Others have observed that the little “i” in front of the Mac or Pod or Pad or Phone translates into a capital “I” in our wirelessly connected, self-absorbed society that keeps finding new ways for us to look at one another on screens, rather than eye to eye.

Actual human contact is far messier and comes with more risks than the smooth, gleaming surfaces of the latest version of it rendered by Pixar. In the shifting sands of the silicon universe, Apple and its competitors vie to produce the newest device or software to give us each the world, not as it is, but in our own image of what we want it to be. Cool!

Except they’re not giving it — they’re selling it. And it’s not cheap.

People who aren’t avid Old Testament readers or lit majors may forget that it was Eve’s bite out of the apple in the pursuit of knowledge that got her and Adam evicted from the Garden of Eden.

Paradise lost — sorry, hon.

These words are being written on an iMac. I love my iMac. Cool!

• Contact Rick Chatenever at .

Apple iPhone 4S: The reviews are in

Apple’s iPhone 4S: the reviews are in

You won’t be able to get your hands on Apple’s iPhone 4S until Friday, but US based reviews of the newest iPhone have begun to trickle through today, just two days before the official launch. so, how does the iPhone 4S stack up according to the experts? We’ve rounded up a selection of the best iPhone 4S reviews.

For full details on the iPhone 4S Australian launch, including pricing and telco details from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, read our iPhone 4S Australian buying guide.

Siri: all you need to know about the iPhone 4S’ personal assistant.

Not interested in the iPhone 4S? Why not check out our guide to the best iPhone 4S alternatives.

The general consensus seems to be that the iPhone 4S is definitely an improvement over the iPhone 4, with faster speeds and the Siri voice recognition feature two glaring positives. however, most reviewers seem to agree that updating from an iPhone 4 to an iPhone 4S is not a necessity — owners of an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS are more likely to be impressed with the iPhone 4S’ new features.

Here’s a selection of the best reviews published so far.

Joshua Topolsky, this is my next:

“If you’re an owner of an older iPhone, or someone looking to switch to an iPhone from a different platform, there’s never been a better Apple device to buy. the iPhone 4S is an astoundingly good phone. Between the hardware (both inside and out) and the software (iOS 5 as well as third party offerings), it’s just kind of an awesome package. the lack of LTE, a larger display, or a new design may put off some buyers, but that won’t change the fact that 4S is a force to be reckoned with.”

“The iPhone 4S is a great device for some, but what if you’re thinking of upgrading from an iPhone 4? That’s a tougher call. the phone is faster, to be sure, and has an amazing camera. and of course, you can’t get Siri unless you have a 4S… but I just don’t know if any of those reasons are compelling enough to convince previous buyers to upgrade.”

David Pogue, the new York Times:

“Android phones seem to come out every Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. Apple updates iOS and the iPhone only once a year. so Apple had a lot of catching up to do, even some leapfrogging. There are some rough spots here and there; for example, every now and then the 4S’s camera app gets stuck on its startup screen. and while the battery still gets you through one full day, standby time is shorter than before (200 hours versus 300). but over all, Apple has done an excellent job.”

“The question isn’t what’s in a name — it’s what’s in a phone. and the answer is: “A lot of amazing technology. and some of it feels like magic.”

Walt Mossberg, the Wall Street Journal:

“The standout feature, not available in other iPhones, or in any other phone I’ve seen, is Siri. it answers questions and provides information using natural language and an intelligent understanding, not just of words, but of context and colloquial phrasing. it isn’t perfect, and is labelled a beta, but it has great potential and worked pretty well for me, despite some glitches.”

“Despite Siri, the iPhone 4S isn’t a dramatic game-changer like some previous iPhones. Some new features are catch-ups to competitors. I sense Apple chose to focus more on software and cloud service than on hardware. but, in my tests, the iPhone 4S performed very well.”

Jason Snell, Macworld:

“While some early iPhone 4 adopters will likely be eligible for a new phone in the next few months, my suspicion is that iPhone 3GS users will be at the head of the upgrade line for the iPhone 4S. For those users, the iPhone 4S will be big deal. Sure, there’s a dramatic speed boost, but for my money the best feature they’ll gain is the shockingly bright and clear Retina display.”

“For users of the iPhone 4, the iPhone 4S’s charms are a bit more subtle. There’s no doubt that the iPhone 4S is faster — though the iPhone 4 is not exactly poky. the 4S camera is definitely better, but the big leap came from the iPhone 3GS to the iPhone 4. the jump from 4 to 4S is a bit more incremental. Siri is certainly intriguing, but in its beta state it’s unclear just how useful it will be in the long run. Over the next few months we should get a better idea about how Siri is evolving.”

“In the end, the iPhone 4S follows Apple’s recent trajectory of iPhone releases: It’s an object of some appeal to people who last upgraded their phones a year ago, and over the next year a great many of them will find it worthwhile to upgrade to the iPhone 4S. but to all those people who’ve been hanging on to their iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS, the wait is over: It’s time to upgrade without any hesitation whatsoever. the iPhone 4S has speed, a great camera, some cool voice-recognition features, and the same beautiful industrial design that was introduced in the iPhone 4. It’s destined to be immensely popular. the S, in this case, seems to stand for “sure thing.”

MG Siegler, TechCrunch:

“If you already have an iPhone 4 and still have time left on your two-year contract, it will be a pricey decision to upgrade to an iPhone 4S — especially since you’ll get the iOS 5 features (again, minus Siri) as an upgrade for free. If either speed or the camera are of the utmost importance to you, you should upgrade. If not, go to an Apple Store and see for yourself just how cool Siri is and then decide.”

“Leading up to last week’s event, like everyone else, I kept reading the rumors about a new iPhone with a larger screen and completely different form factor. quite frankly, I was hoping they were wrong. the iPhone 4′s design is the pinnacle of smartphone design in my opinion. I simply could not imagine how they could alter it to make it better. Even making it thinner would mean that it wouldn’t fit as nicely in your hands for taking pictures. Android fanboys are going to love that statement.”

“I’m happy that Apple decided not to change the form factor even though they had to know there would be some backlash from a certain segment of the population (read: idiots). instead, Apple focused on the other thing they do best: refining already great products to make them better. the iPhone 4 was a great product. the best smartphone ever made. now it cedes that title to the iPhone 4S.”

Steven Fry, the Guardian:

“Siri, the high quality and ultra-fast camera, 30 fps 1080p HD video, globally available voice recognition and the introduction of two antennae (the phone seamlessly switches between whichever is getting the strongest signal) are features that make the 4S irresistible; what is more, the unchanged form means that a whole new range of covers and accessories won’t be required.”

“If you are tired of the upgrade race or feel you can’t justify the expense, you at least have the knowledge that iOS 5 will transform your existing iPhone enthrallingly.”

“In a sad, sad week for Apple, come a new phone and a new operating system that between them show the company still at the top of its game, still innovating, still implementing new technologies at a level of perfection and fluency that is only possible when you make, design and control it all: device, chip architecture and operating system.”

“Once again Apple is taking a lead and asking a lot of its competitors. I wish those competitors luck, for the better all smartphones are, the happier I am. If Steve Jobs’s true legacy is that the devices every other company makes are so, so much better than they otherwise would have been, I don’t think he would mind one bit.”

Patrick Goss, TechRadar:

“All in all, the iPhone 4S lives up to its billing as the best ever iPhone, bringing it a clear step up from the iPhone 4. Many with that handset will question if the upgrades are worth it, and that’s something that could impact on the iPhone 4S – especially if people feel that they should hang on for an iPhone 5 instead.”

“It’s important to remember that Apple enjoys a special relationship with consumers, attracting those who don’t care a jot about smartphone specs but want to make sure they get something halfway decent. the trust in the brand is unerring for many. but imagine this was the update Samsung threw out for the Galaxy S3 – technology enthusiasts would be pointing and laughing at the Korean giant for such a minor set of updates.”

“Technically, the iPhone 4S manages to keep pace with the competition – and will likely find it will be quickly outdone in the coming months in spec terms. but Apple has a way of making the features that rivals implemented years ago seem shiny and new. Given that Cook’s Clan managed to get people queuing down the street for a white variant of a nine month-old phone, we fully expect swathes of consumers to line the streets again for the iPhone 4S.”

Championship Week Features Top iPhone(R) Apps Seldom Available for Free

Press Release Source: W3i, LLC on Friday October 21, 2011, 10:38 am EDT

MINNEAPOLIS, MN–(Marketwire -10/21/11)- AppAllStar, a daily free app promotion site marketed by W3i, announces Championship Week, October 23rd to October 30th, to celebrate one million downloads of its AppAllStar iOS app. Championship Week will feature seven of the top ranking paid apps from companies such as Sega and SkyVu offered for free for just 24 hours. These popular apps are seldom offered to the public at no charge.

AppAllStar launched its iPhone app in March, 2011, and in less than six months has grown to more than one million users. AppAllStar provides consumers a one stop shop for quality game apps daily. AppAllStar solves the problem of wasting time discovering and paying for cool games. By installing the AppAllStar app you can review and install a new app each and every day. aside from quality tested content, AppAllStar provides a frictionless user experience allowing users to install a new game and then get on with their day.

“We are excited about the lineup. our partners really ‘stepped up to the plate’ allowing AppAllStar to feature some of their best iOS games. This may be the only time these games are offered for free so we are recommending consumers install AppAllStar to so they can review the line-up from day one,” comments Joram Manka, AppAllStar Product Manager.

About AppAllStar:

AppAllStar is a product of W3i Mobile Solutions, LLC. W3i develops and promotes quality, useful free apps across an extensive app network offering advertisers user acquisition for iOS™, Android™, and Windows™ apps and developers revenue models to grow their app businesses. get the latest from AppAllStar on Facebook and Twitter @AppAllStar. To learn more, visit W3i.com.

The names of the companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Image Available: www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1774172

Daily Deals: $1,099 iMac, $99 iPhone 3GS, iPod Bluetooth

We start out the day with three hardware deals. First up is a bevy of iMacs from the Apple Store, including a 21.5-inch desktop powered by a 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo for $1,099. (You might want to hurry, as these units seem to be going fast.) Also in the spotlight: more 16GB iPhone 3GS handsets from AT&T for $99. Finally, give your iPod Bluetooth connectivity with this $20 kit.

Along the way, we’ll check out new iPhone apps, along with cases for the iPhone 4. as usual, details on these and many other items are available at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump. The Apple Store offers several factory-refurbished previous- and current-generation Apple Aluminum iMac Desktops in its Special Deals section. (They’re up to $850 off, and with free shipping, at the lowest total price we’ve seen.) each comes with a 1-year Apple warranty, the same as new Macs. Sales tax is added where applicable. Items are removed from Apple’s site when they sell out. Notables:

Apple MC413LL/A iMac 21.5” Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06GHz Desktop for $1,099 Apple MB952LL/A iMac 27” Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06GHz Desktop for $1,269 Apple MB953LL/A iMac 27” Intel Core i5 Quad 2.66GHz Desktop for $1,529 browse all refurbished Apple iMacs at the Apple Store

With activation of new voice and data plans, AT&T Wireless once again offers the refurbished Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB Smartphone for AT&T Wireless in Black or White for $99 with free shipping via 2-day delivery. (That’s tied with our mention from last week as the lowest total price we could find for an iPhone 3GS 16GB.) Sales tax is added where applicable. Major features over the iPhone 3G include significantly faster processing, 3MP auto-focus camera with support for 30FPS VGA video, voice control, digital compass, built-in support for Nike+, instant remote wipe, at least five hours of 3G talk time (up to 12 if you switch off 3G), and more.

The refurbished Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB Smartphone for AT&T Wireless is also available in Black for $149. with free shipping via 2-day delivery, that’s also tied with our mention from last week and another price low.

Note: no warranty information is provided. Also, a $36 activation fee applies.

Buy.com offers the Miccus BluBridge Bluetooth Music Transmitter for iPod, model no. BBFI-04, for $19.99 with free shipping. (That matches our May mention and is the lowest total price we could find by $24.) this device connects to an iPod’s dock connector and pairs it with almost any Bluetooth-capable receiver. other features include a wireless range of up to 33 feet, built-in battery saver mode, and automatic Bluetooth pairing.

ChiTek offers the Acase Superleggera Case for Apple iPhone 4 in 12 colors (Black pictured) from $12.95. (With $4.50 for shipping, that’s $22 off and the lowest total price we could find.) Deal ends August 20.

Meritline offers this Hard Plastic Edge Case for iPhone 4 for $1.49 with free shipping. (That’s the lowest total price we could find for such a case by $5.) It features cutouts for accessories, an open back, and an open front.

Today only, the iTunes App Store offers downloads of LilRacerz Pro Rally for iPhone / iPod touch for free. (That’s a $4 drop and the best price we’ve seen for this top-down racing game.)

Today only, MacUpdate.com offers downloads of skEdit 4.1.3 for Mac for $19.95. (That’s $19 off and the lowest total price we could find for this text editor, which is intended for web developers.) Click here for more information.

Today only, CowBoom.com offers the iHome OutLoud iH80 Portable Speaker system for iPod for $29.99 plus $5 for shipping. (That’s the lowest total price we could find by $32.) this indoor/outdoor system operates on its AC adapter or eight C batteries. It has a line-in jack for additional audio devices and microphone jack for karaoke.

Meritline.com offers the Mini Microphone Recorder for Apple iPod / iPhone in Black for $2.49. Coupon code “MLCK262457081764AL1” drops it to 89 cents. (With free shipping, that’s tied with our expired mention from five days ago and the lowest total price we could find by $2.) this microphone is compatible with the iPod Classic and 4th-generation iPod nano. It also works with the iPhone and 2nd-generation iPod touch; however, a download of a recording app (e.g., iTalk Recorder) may be required. Coupon expires after 800 uses.

Today only, SquareTrade offers its SquareTrade iPhone 2-Year Warranty for $99. Coupon code “SNEAK” cuts it to $93.75. (That’s $30 off and the lowest price we’ve seen for this service in two weeks, when it was $4 less for one day.) unlike AppleCare, SquareTrade’s extended warranty also includes drop and spill protection.

Have other items which need extended warranties? SquareTrade.com also takes 30% off warranties sitewide via the above coupon. (A maximum discount of $30 applies.) That ties our mention from last week and is among the best offers we’ve seen from SquareTrade. (We saw a 35% off discount in April.)

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