Nothing in the ‘verse that should stop you from joining us for iPhone & iPad Live tonight!

Place: www.imore.com/live

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT.

(ZEN and TECH will be on on immediately following iPhone & iPad live tonight, and you’ll really want to join us for the announcement of our big Xbox Kinect giveaway! Spoiler alert!)

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

Want to watch via iPhone or iPad? Grab the Ustream app and search for “mobilenations”!

Valentine’s Day is coming up fast, and if your lover loves their iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, you’re in luck, there are some fantastic device, app, accessory, and media gifts to thrill them and score you major brownie points. Whether you’re romantic enough to prepare well in advance, or if you’re scrambling to stay off the couch, sit back and get your groove warmed up — Rene and I decided to do a little written ZEN and TECH this week and help you pick out the perfect Valentine’s Day gifts for your special someone.

Dream devices for the person of your dreams

On the off chance the love of your life doesn’t yet have an iOS device to call his or her own, that’s a great place to start. An iPod touch can be the perfect travel or exercise companion. An iPad can entertain and inform at home or away. An a iPhone can keep you both in touch no matter where you are. And Apple TV is perfect for all the couple movie classics.

And hey, if you’re in a long distance romance, just wait until they discover FaceTime.

• Apple iOS device gift guide

Awesome accessories

If your significant other already has their iOS device needs met, then accessories are your next best bet. There’s something about a tangible gift — something about receiving a gift, opening it, seeing and feeling it for the first time. It’s… real.

There are a ton of great iPhone and iPad accessories to choose from. Here are some of our favorites.

Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum Case for iPhone

Year after year, Case-Mate melts my heart with a shiny, sexy case for the iPhone and this year is no exception — the Barely There Brushed Aluminum Case is simply spectacular. As always, it’s light as a feather, extremely low profile, and the finish is fabulous. Girls will love the heart red or stunning silver, guys the basic black. Both will appreciate the aircraft-grade aluminum inlay, gunmetal hard shell, and awesome good looks of the Barely There Brushed Aluminum.

$29.95 – Buy now

Pad & Quill Little Black Book for iPhone and Contega for iPad

Little Black Book‘s are usually reserved for hot little numbers, and Pad & Quill’s take on the classic is no exception — it wraps your high tech iPhone in old word craftsmanship. It fits both the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, it’s precision cut and framed from Baltic Birch, covered in Italian leather, bound in book cloth, with an extra pocket inside for credit cards or ID. If pink is your thing, Pad & Quill is offering the Little Black Book in just that special edition color, just in time for Valentine’s. If not, they have a rainbow of other colors to choose from, from red to blue and everything in between.

Contega brings the same hipster vibe and quality construction to the iPad with even more features, notably a fold-up stand to make it easier to type or just watch your movies.

$54.99 and up – Buy now

Jawbone JAMBOX

You put down your wine glasses, take each other’s hands, walk over to the dance floor, hold each other close — and hear the tiny, tinny sound of your iPhone’s speaker. Grrrrr. Jawbone’s JAMBOX makes up for Apple’s still disappointing audio with the best Bluetooth sound ever. It’s rich. It’s deep. It’ll keep you dancing until dawn.

$179.99 – Buy now

8-Bit Dynamic Life Shirt

These light-up shirts from Think Geek will normally show two-and-a-half glowing hearts. But when you and your special someone come together, your heart bar glows full and you power up. Get one for yourself, one for your love, and whenever you’re together, your shirts will light up.

$17.99 – $24.99 – Buy now

Amazing apps

You know if there’s an app for just about everything, a large portion of those just have to be for love! Whether you’re deeply in love, trying to keep the home fires burning, or still trying to kindle the flame, there are most definitely apps for all that.

Romantic apps

If you’re already in a relationship, especially if you’ve been in one for a while, and you need or simply want something sexy to spice up your Valentine’s day, the App Store has plenty to offer.

$1.99 – iKamaSutra

Interlude: A romantic rant

We looked for more apps we could recommend, but frankly most of them looked terrible. The icons were horrible, the screenshots were horrible, and the reviews were horrible. We’re long past the time lazy, opportunistic “developers” should be able to put out junk and make money off iPhone and iPad users. This should be a good market. There should be a great developer who can make a gorgeous looking, fabulous working dice game, spin the bottle, truth or dare, or something — anything — else for adults who simply want to have some fun. Take this as a challenge — by next Valentine’s Day, have some amazing stuff in the store for couples!

More apps

We offer up what we think are simply the best apps day in and day out here at iMore, just because it’s Valentine’s doesn’t mean you need to get a Valentine’s specific app. Sometimes something thoughtful, something that shows you’ve listened, learned your significant other’s interests, and found them something delightful is the way to go.

• iMore’s best app lists

Online dating apps

If you don’t happen to have someone special this year, if you’re still searching, it’s never too early to get ready for next year. Why not harness the power of your iPhone and iPad? Many of the popular online dating sites have apps in the app store, and since our lives are increasingly mobile, there’s no reason our love lives shouldn’t be as well. (The apps are usually free, as is browsing, but there are typically fees associated with messaging.)

Free – eHarmony

Variable – More online dating apps

Last minute gift ideas

If you’re reading this with only minutes to spare before your special someone comes to the door, or comes downstairs, all hope is not lost. In addition to the apps listed above, all of which can be bought in an instant, there are also several sweet services and certificates that are yours to be had, only a few clicks away.

Netflix, Hulu Plus, Slacker and other subscription

You’ll be stuck watching romantic comedies, chick flicks, or something racy, but you won’t be stuck on the sofa or the dog house!

• Netflix
• Hulu Plus
• Slacker Personal Radio

iTunes, App Store, iBooks gifts and gift certificates

If romance is still fresh and new and you don’t want to risk gifting the wrong app or iBook or iTunes music, you can get them a gift certificate. Don’t just hand it over, however. Take their hand and go online shopping with them!

• iTunes gift certificates

Amazon gift certificates

Amazon has a ton of digital content all there own, but they also have old school media — paper books, plastic CDs and Blu-Rays, games that come on cartridges… Gift certificates let your special someone pick just exactly the goods — real or virtual — they want, and Amazon will deliver it straight to the door or the device. Again, shop with them!

• Amazon gift certificates

Your Valentine’s gift ideas?

Did we miss any of your favorite Valentine gift ideas, past, present, or future? Anything that especially made your heart melt or soar or skip a beat? Please share in the comments!

But enough from us, let’s let Steve do the talking.

So, tell us a little about yourself?

Hy my name is Steve. California native currently living in the Midwest, I miss the beach. I am an estimator for a disaster restoration/construction co. so our fortune is due to someone else’s misfortune. I like mountain biking, sports, concerts, listening to music and hanging with the family. I hope to move back to Cali in the next year or two, so fingers crossed for that!

How long have you been an iPhone or iPad user?

I have been an iphone user for about 3 years now. Previously was a BlackBerry user and never thought I would leave. My first iDevice was the iPhone 3G

What brought you to iOS?

At the time I had an upgrade coming due so naturally I was testing the waters to see if there actually was anything better than my BlackBerry. After reading forums and comments about the iPhone the consensus was it was more of a gimmicky device but I went ahead and made the jump anyways. Very glad I did!

What brought you to iMore?

Coming from CrackBerry.com I was looking for another reputable site/forum to join and at the time TiPb — now iMore — was the perfect fit for me, still is. I have made a lot of friends and there are a lot of helpful members here. All the things what a forum/community should be, plus excellent and up to date news. Thanks to all that make this work.

What are your favorite apps?

Typically I jailbreak my device so I have a lot of favorites from Cydia but assuming we’re talking App store I would have to say some of my most used would be:

• ESPN Scorecenter
• ScoreMobile
• Spotify
• Pandora

What are your favorite accessories?

I am not a big fan of cases so I am “naked” for the most part. In regards to other accessories I guess I have not really taken the time to dabble like most.

What are you most looking forward to from Apple in the future?

I am really looking forward to the next iPhone since I skipped the iPhone 4S in hopes of a design change. Also, I will be buying my first iPad this year (iPad 3) so I am pretty stoked about that and if everything goes well a MacBook also. Then the ecosystem will be complete!

Thanks Steven!

If you haven’t joined our incredible community yet, there’s never been a better time. Meet great people, get help with your iPhone and iPad, share your ideas, and enjoy fantastic conversation. Perfect for newcomers and pros alike — Join now!

Our all-new, all awesome podcast devoted to the latest and greatest iPhone and iPad apps and accessories returns tonight! What, you had something else planned? Pfft!

Place: www.imore.com/live

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT.

(ZEN and TECH will be on Wednesday tonight, but you’ll really want to join us for the announcement of our big Xbox Kinect giveaway! Spoiler alert!)

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

Want to watch via iPhone or iPad? Grab the Ustream app and search for “mobilenations”!

This is it iMore nation, your last chance to enter our big Jawbone JAMBOX and a $200 iTunes gift card giveaways. If you haven’t already, you really need to run — not walk — and enter now. It’s super easy to do, just friend iMore on Facebook and subscribe to iMore on YouTube and you’re in.

• Friend iMore on Facebook
• Subscribe to iMore on YouTube

(While you’re at it, you might as well follow us on Twitter and circle us on Google+ as well; we have a lot more giveaways coming up!)

• Follow iMore on Twitter
• Circle iMore on Google+

What are you waiting for? This is not a drill! There are only 12 hours left! Deploy! Deploy! Deploy!

And when you’re done, leave a comment telling us you’re done so we know to look for you. Do it now, for the love of all that’s good and holy — before Rene sings again!!

Xappr is a gun accessory for your iPhone that’ll instantly appeal to everyone from fans of the original Duck Hunt on Ninteno to the latest Halo or Call of Duty FPS shooters. Imagine, holding a weapon that looks like something out of a James Cameron sci-fi blockbuster, your iPhone safely mounted on top, your favorite shooting game loaded and ready, the grip tight on your hand, the trigger itching under your finger, your multi-player enemy right in your cross-hairs. How fun does that sound?

The Xappr and Micro-Xappr guns are currently on preorder, but will be available in the EU, Isreal, U.S., and Canada this June. Apps will be required to support it and while there’s only a handful right now, more should be coming soon. A lot more I hope, especially the Modern Combat, N.O.V.A. and other premiere App Store games.

Pre-order price is $30. I’m getting one. Are you?

Source: XAPPRGun

MetalCompass will reveal smartphone guns at the Nuremberg Toy Fair

MetalCompass will reveal for the first time two models of gaming accessories for smartphones – The Xappr and the Micro-Xappr guns. The models will be revealed in the international toy fair that will take place in Nuremberg, Germany between February 1st and February 6st.

Both the Xappr and the Micro-Xappr allows players to play a variety of augmented reality and shooting games. “The Xappr guns has already more than 10 amazing augmented reality games that will allow the player to intercept alien spaceships, find and eliminate ghosts, fight evil flying robots, hunt a horde of blood thirsty zombies and the most important – engage in battle with other players” says Oren Shtark, MetalCompass’ CDO.

MetalCompass will release this spring the first real world multiplayer first person shooter for smartphones – ATK. ATK will allow players to simulate combat scenarios with different types of weapons – guns, rifles, grenade launchers and powerful pulse weapons. ATK will support three battle modes: Death-match, Last Man Standing and Teams Mode.

The Xappr guns will be available this spring but players from the US, Canada or the EU you can pre-order the Xappr gun now, get a discount and be the first among their friends to get the Xappr gun this spring.

“The OverBoard waterproof case for iPad is a must-have for everything from the bath to the beach, but can be a little tough to close if your hands are covered in suds or tanning lotion.”

I absolutely love waterproof cases like the OverBoard for when I’m traveling. They work exceptionally well to keep your iPad or iPad 2 clean and dry, and can double as a handy place to store some cash and credit cards as well. They also work great at home, letting you enjoy a relaxing soak in the tub while reading, surfing the web, or playing your favorite iPad game.

OverBoard for iPad has a crystal clear front. Seriously, it's screen-protector clear.

The OverBoard waterproof case for iPad is exceptionally clear on one side and padded on the other. It might be nice to have it clear on both sides, so you could use the rear-facing camera for when you’re out and about. However, when you realize beaches, bathtubs, hiking trips, rafting excursions, and pretty much any place you’d like to use it is also not a place you’d want to drop it, you start to appreciate the padding more.

The handy hand strap lets you hold your iPad one handed, reducing the chance of it slipping out of your grip

To further protect against dropping your iPad, the OverBoard case has a hand strap conveniently located on the back. Not only does this let you easily use your iPad one handed, but if you are in the bathtub, it leaves the other hand free for a beverage as well. Decadent, but oh so worth it!

Now, the closures on this particular OverBoard case were more difficult to line up and seal than previous ones I’ve reviewed. Take your time, align everything carefully, apply sufficient force (use those guns, bikini chicks!), and you should be okay.

You can choose to use the OverBoard by itself, which is ideal for the bath, or you can use the included shoulder strap — water-murse, anyone? — or carabiner if you’re traveling or hiking.

To see how well waterproof cases in general, and the OverBoard in specific hold up to everything from the deep end of the pool and a car wash to a dishwasher and RC boat race, check out these torture tests;

• TiPb TV 20: Bond boat bash
• Overboard vs Aquapac in iPhone 4 water torture test

The good

• Crystal clear plastic on the front
• Protective padding on the rear
• Hand strap for one-handed use
• Shoulder strap and carabiner options

The bad

• Requires a little too much strength to close
• Padding covers up rear camera

The conclusion

The OverBoard waterproof case for iPad is a must-have for everything from the bath to the beach, but can be a little tough to close if your hands are covered in suds or tanning lotion.

- $44.95 – Buy now

The giveaway

Simply leave a comment below telling us where you’d most like to use an OverBoard waterproof case for iPad of your very own! Giveaway starts now and ends Sunday, February 5 at midnight PT. (U.S. shipping address required for delivery. Sorry!)

There are stand-alone gadgets like Fitbit or Jawbone UP that keep track of your movement (or lack thereof!), and sleep activities, and let you enter food information. They connect to our iPhones to share data and deliver reports so we can see how we’re doing and adjust according. The are also stand-alone apps that don’t need extra hardware and just do similar things right on our iPhones. Both often have social network connections to, so your friends and family can see your progress, be it weight lost, distance traveled, calories burned, sleep enjoyed, or food consumed. That adds accountability and some peer pressure that could help keep you motivated and on track.

Have you tried any of them? If so, which gadgets or apps or accessories did you like best? Have you tried them but ended up not using them, or simply not tried any health and fitness apps or accessories at all? If not, why not?

Vote in the poll up top and give me all the details in the comments below, and don’t forgot to jump into our new Health and Fitness Forum — you can attain your goals and get entered into our big iPad 3 giveaway. Sweet!

iPhone 4S Made Simple is a new book from Apress written by Martin Trautschold and our very own editor-in-chief extraordinaire, Rene Ritchie, and tech edited by none other than Leanna Lofte. That’s right, there’s a huge iMore presence throughout this book — I forgot to lock the cages one night, who knew? — which means it’s super detailed, super informative, and has everything a regular person needs to get started with their brand new iPhone 4S.

More than 1,000 screen visuals and clear-cut instructions guide you through both basic and advanced features of iOS 5 that’s on your iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and earlier models, from email and calendar tips to navigating the App Store and understanding Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networks to the revolutionary Siri personal assistant.

If you have that special someone in your life who needs extra help figuring out how to use their iPhone 4S, send them to iPhone 4S Made Simple. You — and your stress level! — will be glad you did! (And don’t forget to leave a review!)

• $9.95+ Amazon store link

“As a case and app combo Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw for iPad 2 is great for letting kids learn art and have fun on the iPad, though it’s not something parents to just leave on a family device.”

The Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw for iPad 2 review brings together the classic crayon and marker maker with one of the biggest names in iPad accessories for a double-threat case and app combo that’s sure to delight kids of all ages. It required a screen protector, comes with a large enclosure and a marker, but put it all together and you get the best of old world art thanks to the latest in Apple tech!

It's not small or subtle, but the Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw for iPad 2 is durable enough for kids

The Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw is a contraption that fits over your iPad 2 like a case. A really big, really durable case. You need a screen protector, which I’m not a huge fan of, but your child will be drawing on paper on top of the screen and really, better safe than sorry.

The case holds the paper in place while the iPad 2 provides the light-box effect. And it holds your paper in place well. If your child is fortunate to have an iPad of their very own, having the Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw for iPad 2 on all the time won’t be a problem. It will probably help protect it immensely. If it’s a family iPad 2, however, you won’t want to keep this case on any longer than you have to. It’s just too big and bulky, and toy-styled to suit regular adult use.

And that presents a small problem — once your kids get used to drawing or tracing on the iPad 2 with the Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw case on, once you take it off, I worry they’ll find a way to keep drawing anyway, which would be no fun. (Keep a lot of washable markers handy).

Easy to set up and fun to use, your young artist will love it

The Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw for iPad 2 needs to be paired with the matching app from the App Store. It has a fair amount of content, including:

• On the Go – Connect the dots to create planes, trains and more
• Under the Sea – Animated friends guide you through undersea adventures
• Jungle Frenzy – Trace, draw and color a jungle full of fun
• Bot Builder – Swap bottoms and tops to make your own ‘bots
• Magical Mashup – Mix and match dragons, wizards and other magical characters to make a silly creation
• Superhero Swap – Swap tops and bottoms to create your own superheroes
• Family Fun – Trace and color fun family members, even the cat
• Sports Scramble – Use the clues to guess the game

So you’re likely to find something your child — and you! — might enjoy.

The good

• Fun to use
• Great way to get your kids drawing
• Easy to set up and use

The bad

• Requires a screen protector
• Could make kids think it’s okay to draw on iPad even without the case
• Not a case you can/want to leave on all the time

The conclusion

As a case and app combo Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw for iPad 2 is great for letting kids learn art and have fun on the iPad, though it’s not something parents to just leave on a family device. You do need a screen protector to use it, which is a drag, and it’s not the slimmest, prettiest case in the world, so you’ll be taking it on and off a lot, but if your child is learning to draw I can’t think of a funner, easier way to get them started than with the Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw for iPad 2

• Case – $32.75+ – Amazon Store link
• App – Free – App Store link

The giveaway

Simply leave a comment below telling us your most favorite thing your son or daughter, or child in your life, has drawn for you and you’re entered to win a Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw for iPad 2 of your very own! Giveaway starts now and ends Sunday, February 5 at midnight PT. U.S. shipping address required for delivery.

iPhone & iPad Live are back and raring to go tonight, with a recap of all the action from Macworld 2012 and analyze of all the latest iPad 3 and iPhone 5 rumors.

And we’re following up with a very special edition of ZEN and TECH, kicking off Mobile Nations Fitness Month with none other than CrackBerry Kevin Michaluk himself!

• iPhone & iPhone Live – 6pm ET/9pm PT
• ZEN and TECH – 7pm ET/10pm PT
• Join us live!

“The Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 looks interesting and feels great but it doesn’t fit exceptionally well around the edges, ruining the overall affect.”

The first thing you’ll notice about the The Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 is the look. It’s covered in more hexagons that a Dungeons & Dragons map. This honeycomb texture isn’t superficial either — it’s thick and structural and designed to absorb shock and keep your precious iPad from being hurt by accidental bumps or drops.

The hexagram design will stand out from a crowd -- if that's what you want!

The hexagons are a bold look for Incipio, something you’re either going to love or hate. I like that they’re taking risks and doing something different.

The feel is wonderful. The Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 is soft but not slippery or slimy. It almost feels like it’s been covered in baby powder, but that’s probably just the anti-static coating.

The major flaw in the design, however, is that the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 is too soft to stand up to the long vertical edge of the iPad 2. It lacks both the elasticity to stay tight and the structure to keep position. And so the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 hangs from the mid-point and makes me feel like it could just slide off at any moment. I don’t know if the case is too big or they just need a better material.

The same material that makes it soft and easy to put on also makes it more difficult to stay on

On the bright side, the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 comes in black, red, and gray, slips on and off easily, and exposes all the ports. It also comes with screen cleaner and a screen protector to keep the front safe and sound.

The Good

• Excellent grip
• No stickiness
• Screen protector included

The Bad

• Side edges aren’t snug enough
• Highly distinctive look

The conclusion

The Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 looks interesting and feels great but it doesn’t fit exceptionally well around the edges, ruining the overall affect. It was just too loose.

• $29.95 – Buy Now

The giveaway

Simply leave a comment below telling us how the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone Case for iPad 2 could make your life easier and you’re entered to win one of your very own! Giveaway starts now and ends Sunday, February 5 at midnight PT. U.S. shipping address required for delivery.

“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.

Unlike it's smaller iPhone sibling, the Case-Mate Pop! Case for iPad 2 is either open or closed -- there are no gradations.

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.

When open, the stand is a winner. It keeps your iPad 2 up and at attention in either landscape or portrait mode

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.

The front looks good, protects well, and yet I can't stop wishing the side were just a little less loose.

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.

• ###$39.95 – Buy Now

The giveaway

Simply leave a comment below telling us how the Case-Mate Pop! Case for iPad 2 could make your life easier and you’re entered to win one of your very own! Giveaway starts now and ends Sunday, February 5 at midnight PT. U.S. shipping address required for delivery.

Sadly there will be no Apps and Accessories Live or ZEN and TECH tonight as Rene is delayed en route back from Macworld 2012 and Seth is, according to Rene, too busy nerf herding. So relax, enjoy a night off, and we’ll see you back here on Wednesday for iPhone and iPad Live with a complete recap of all the action from the show, and all the news for the week.

If you need a fix, we have a huge back catalog of episodes available for your viewing and listening pleasure — with no Hollywood style broadcast blackouts or delays! New media win!

• iMore / Mobile Nations podcasts

iPad 3 is likely up next, and the big rumor is Retina display on the order of 2048×1536. Less certain but still desirable are quad-core chips and LTE networking. Much the same rumors apply to the iPhone 5, just replace the already-present Retina display with an oft-requested 4-inch screen. You could throw a 7-inch iPad in there for good measure to.

Is it something subtler you’re waiting for, like NFC support, or something more dramatic like 3D?

Apple TV hasn’t been updated in over a year, so are you really craving some 1080p or are you all about the Apple iTV televion rumors now?

Maybe it’s the Mac you want — more specifically a 15-inch MacBook Air? A redesigned Mac Pro? If you could get just one big hardware gift from Apple this year, what would it be?

Give us your vote up top and then give us the details in the comments below!

“The iFixit Thirsty Bag can be a life-saver when it comes to salvaging water-damaged iPhones and iPads… if you happen to have one around when an accident happens.”

The iFixit Thirsty Bag is for those who worry about dropping their precious iPhones, iPod touches, or iPads in water. Whether you reach down to pick up something and your Phone slips out of your pocket and into the river or lake, or you turn too quickly and knock your iPod touch off the counter and into the toilet, a time may come when all that stands between you and a replacement is quick action, moisture absorbing materials like the Thirty Bag, and prayers to whichever Apple god you so choose to believe in.

iFixit's Thirsty Bag needs to be bought ahead of time and stored... just in case of water damage to your iPhone or iPad.

When your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad splashes down, and the waves of water crest over it just as the waves of panic crest over you, there are several important things to remember. First, retrieve your device as quickly as possible. Second, dry it off fast so as to minimize exposure time. Third, put it somewhere with highly moisture absorbing material to dry it out. In a pinch, if you have no other option, dry rice is the DIY option. If you’ve thought ahead, however, you can use materials specifically designed for moisture absorbing. The iFixit Thirsty Bag contains just such a material.

Inside the iFixit Thirsty Bag you’ll find two “molecular sieve packets”. Each of these contains powerful liquid absorption material that, according to iFixit, can reduce the atmospheric humidity to 1% RH and suck up pretty much all liquid inside your device over night. They don’t say exactly what the liquid absorbing material is, so I don’t know if it’s the same as the silica gel packets that sometimes ship with electronics to keep them dry, but they work in a similar fashion.

You can use the iFixit Thirsty Bag to remove potentially damaging water from and iPhone or something as large as an iPad, though for larger devices they recommend placing everything in a sealed, ziplock-type bag.

“iFixit’s iPhone transparent rear panel mod let’s you give your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S an amazingly distinctive look in a world where tens of millions of them are otherwise all but indistinguishable.”

I ordered iFixit’s transparent rear panel mod kit + bonus iPhone liberation kit during their Black Friday sale last year because I absolutely adore Ally’s weekly iPhone mod columns and I’ve been dying to try it out for myself. Though the glowing Apple logo mod is my holy grail, this clear back-panel looked great and seemed like an easier mod to start with.

In addition to the rear panel, you'll need Pentalobe screws -- the Liberation kit works wonders here.

Now I need to preface this review by saying I’ve heard conflicting reports about wether or not swapping out the back plate on your iPhone voids your warranty. Obviously you should swap back to the original rear panel if you ever need to take your iPhone back to Apple for service, but I’d caution anyone who’s overly worried or concerned to think twice before doing any mods, especially if AppleCare still has you covered.

Onward. The special deal I got included both the see-through backing for the iPhone (iPhone 4 GMS/AT&T in my case, though they provide versions to fit the Verizon iPhone and iPhone 4S as well), and well as regular and Apple’s own Pentalobular-style screw drivers. If iFixit doesn’t have the special package deal when you order, get the Liberation kit anyway. It’s well worth it, especially considering Pentalobe screws are pretty much impossible to remove without the proper tools.

Once unscrewed, the iPhone back plate is easy to remove

Since Pentalobe screws aren’t designed for repeated use, the first thing I did was replace them with the ones iFixit includes in the kit. Removing the screws with the proper screwdriver was simple and fairly easy. Once the screws are removed, the iPhone back plate just pops out of place. It is a little bit tricky to get the transparent rear replacement panel properly aligned, however, so you’ll want to practice a few times.

I did have some trouble getting the replacement screws to fit all the way back in. I did make sure to order the proper back plate for the AT&T/GSM iPhone 4, but the screws still stuck out a little. I could have received some ornery parts, and the feedback to iFixit is pretty positive so it doesn’t sound like a widespread problem, but it’s something to keep in mind. Worst case you swap the original panel and screws back in and contact iFixit for a replacement.

And once your transparent rear panel is installed, your iPhone will really stand out from the crowd

Once the clear back plate is in place it looks spectacular. You can see the inner workings of your iPhone just like you could the inner workings of the original iMac. In other words — awesome.

I didn’t leave it on long — I’m testing some other parts now as well — so I can’t comment on longterm durability yet, but with a process this simple, if you have any interest in modding at all, it’s certainly worth a try.

“The ability to use the Case-Mate Pop! Case for iPhone in both portrait and landscape modes, at multiple angles, and without worrying about it slipping is simply brilliant.”

The Case-Mate Pop! Cases with Stand for the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 is exceptionally protective without being overly bulky. It’s one piece which means you don’t get multi-layer protection but it also means it’s easier to put on and take off. Available in an array of bright, bold colors including pink and white, purple and black, yellow and gray, dark and light turquoise, and black on black, it manages to strike a good balance between functionality and stylish good looks.

This Case-Mate case for iPhone isn't just about good looks, it has a little secret...

The Case-Mate Pop! Case with Stand for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 shows a lot of nice attention to detail. The cutouts around the camera are big enough to ensure there’s no problem taking pictures, and no chance of flash-back glare. The mute button is easy enough to access and the volume and sleep/wake buttons are covered but pass-through pressure well enough. The dock cutout, however, while fine with most cables, might give you issues with the chunkier media and car adapters.

Most of the cutouts are wide and the material is soft and protective

Because the case comes up a bit above the front of the iPhone bezel, it also means you can place it face-down on a table and not worry about scratches. Textured sides add to the design but also make it easier to hold onto the Case-Mate Pop! Case.

The kickstand not only supports multiple angles and portrait display...

The kickstand is the big story here. Just as the name describes, the Case-Mate stand pops out from the lower bottom of the back plate, but unlike some others it works in both landscape and portrait more. You can choose two different angles and the slightly rubberized finish prevents it from sliding away and leaving your iPhone to tumble. Well done.

... But can also go landscape, and the rubberized edge stops it from slipping!

Note: Currently on sale in the iMore Canada Store for only Can$27.95!

When it comes to iPad 2 cases, everyone has an opinion on which type is best — hard, soft, waterproof, leather, or skin case

There are advantages and disadvantages to all styles of iPad 2 case. Do you value form or function? Style or security? Gloss or grip? Protection or low-profile? A lot will depend on what you do with your iPad. A construction site has different iPad case requirements than a vacation on the lake or a trip to a trade show. And now that all the basics have been covered — how many little black iPad cases can one girl or guy own? — manufacturers are getting more creative with materials and molding. iPad cases can now be about fashion and fun as well. Cool colors, terrific textures, and niche needs are all being covered now. And the very best iPad 2 cases bring all of that together, and more.

iPad 2 hard case: Otterbox Defender

People who love iPad cases love Otterbox. It’s a perennial favorite. With triple layer protection, it’s the ultimate iPad case for those who need their iPads ruggedized for work, travel, or just for kids. It even comes with a shield-like front cover that can double as a typing or movie-watching stand.

• $59.95 – iMore store link

iPad 2 soft case: Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone

Incipio has been experimenting with new and unusual textures in their iPad 2 cases lately, and with the Incipio Hive Honeycomb dermaSHOT Silicone it’s really paid off. They’ve added extra grip to both sides of the Hive Honeycomb to make it more comfortable to hold onto while gaming, and it manages to avoid being both slippery or tacky at the same time.

• $29.95 – iMore store link

iPad 2 waterproof cases: Overboard

Until Lifeproof comes out with an iPad 2 case, Overboard is my go-to companion for everything from baths to beaches. The Overboard not only has room for your iPad 2, but you can keep some cash or credit cards in there if you’re traveling, and if you drop it in water, it’ll even float.

• $44.95 – iMore store link

iPad 2 keyboard cases: ZAGGfolio

The ZAGGfolio is an iPad 2 case that packs in a keyboard and is best suited for road warriors, or anyone who needs to pound out some serious productivity on the go. When not in use, it protects your iPad from harm, but quickly folds out into full on work mode.

• $99.99 – ZAGG link

iPad 2 leather cases: Pad & Quill Contega

Pad & Quill’s Contega case for iPad 2 takes the now familiar hipster moleskin style to a new level, incorporating a hidden pocket and cover that can fold up into a stand. It’s lacquered Baltic Birch, finely bonded Italian leather, expertly handcrafted for your iPad 2.

• $109.99 – Amazon store link

iPad 2 luxury cases: White Diamonds

Okay, the White Diamond iPad cases aren’t all about protection — they’re about stunning good looks. With amazing artwork and glittering Swarovski crystals, these cases are only for those who want to deck out their iPad 2 with serious bling.

• Variable – White Diamonds link

iPad 2 film cases: BodyGuardz

If you want a lot of scratch protection with as little bulk as possible, BodyGuardz for iPad 2 has you covered. Literally. We’ve taken nails, stones, and children to it and almost a year later, BodyGuardz have kept our iPad 2s sensationally scratch free. BodyGuardz won’t stop drops or bumps, but it will kill scratches dead.

• $19.95 – iMore Store link

“Pairing the latest in Apple iPhone hardware with a 1980s style telephone handset, iCooly certainly demands attention even if its form sometimes overwhelms its function.”

The iCooly PhoneStand is an iPhone dock/cradle with a twist — a retro-future look like something out of the 1980s… or a 60s world’s fair. Instead of a rotary dialer or touchtone keypad, it has a tacky surface on which you can place your iPhone, and the handset plugs right into your 3.5mm audio jack. And that’s only the beginning.

You don’t need leg-warmers or big hair to rock the iCooly PhoneStand, though they certainly wouldn’t hurt. This is one sleek plastic and shiny white and silver finished 80s flashback phone. But it works; once the spiral corded handset is plugged in you can answer calls with the tap of a button. (You can also activate Siri on an iPhone 4S or Voice Control on an iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS with a longer press.)

Your iPhone sticks in place but remains totally accessible.

The nice thing about the old school handset design is that it was an absolute breeze to tuck between the side of your head and your shoulder, so you could keep your hands free to keep working, cooking, gaming… whatever you want to keep doing. The cord isn’t incredibly long, mind you, but it’s long enough to go from your desk, counter, or comfy chair. iCooly even maintains the distance allows for a 96% reduction in cellphone radiation.

Big handsets are easier to use hands-free. Go figure!

The build quality is great. The iCooly PhoneStand aluminum so it feels strong but not heavy. The sticky surface that holds your iPhone in place can be a bit annoying the first few times you use it, but since it doesn’t obstruct the touch screen or buttons, your iPhone remains fully usable even while docked. Likewise, the 30-pin connector is completely exposed so you can charge your iPhone while it’s in the cradle as well. The iCooly PhoneStand even includes a place to keep a pen (or capacitive stylus!)

Now, I’m not going to lie. The iCooly PhoneStand isn’t for everyone. It’s a conversation piece. It’s something to have fun with, especially if you enjoy that retro vibe. It’s probably not going to be the go-to cradle solution for everyone, and that’s okay. Those who do want it, however, will want it a lot.

Source: iMore store

The giveaway

Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win an iCooly PhoneStand for iPhone of you very own! Giveaway starts now and ends Sunday, January 29 at midnight, PT. Enter now!

Ten One Design has just announced their latest and greatest capacitive stylus for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch — the Pogo Sketch Plus. What makes this newer, better version so newer and better?

This sleek capacitive touchscreen stylus features new patent pending Pro Tip technology that consists of patterned structures within the tip itself, which provides greater sensitivity while providing an even smaller tip diameter for superior precision. Typing, navigating and drawing have never been easier! For added portability, Pogo Sketch Plus also has a useful pocket clip to secure in place for on-the-go travel.

Both size and consistency of contact have been challenging on capacitive screens like the iPhone and iPad. It will be interesting to see how this new approach works.

Source: Ten One Design

iPhones are on-the-go, getting things done, highly “mobile accomplisher” devices so jailbreaking for extra features and productivity makes a lot of sense. iPads tend to be feet-up, relaxing, focusing, general purpose devices, so maybe members of the iMore nation don’t feel as compelled to Jailbreak?

But we want you to tell us. Now that the iPad 2 jailbreak is here, is it a must do and no need? Vote in the poll up top and give us your reasons — pro, con, or still on the fence — in the comments below.

“Stylish and artisanal, the Copper River Bag Co. Voyager messenger for iPad is for those who put a premium on rugged good looks and hand-crafted quality.”

The Copper River Bag Co. Voyager for iPad is a messenger-style bag made in the USA from full grained, oiled leather and is truly designed to last a lifetime. The look is something straight out of Joss Whedon’s Firefly, a mix of old world workmanship intended for the latest and greatest in Apple electronics. “Perfect imperfections” is their motto and you can see it reflected in every cut and stitch.

Rugged leather meets polished steel, what more could a Browncoat want?

This is the iPad bag for the person who has everything. Copper River Bag Co.’s Voyager messenger for iPad is one of the most beautiful leather bags I’ve seen, and it’s built as good as it looks. Seriously, it’s water resistant and they offer a 100 year warranty. That’s standing by your products. Heck, that’s standing on them and then dragging them behind a horse in a light drizzle! (Kidding, but you get the point.)

With a 100 year warranty, it's no wonder you can see the attention to detail in every cut and stich

What better place to keep your iPad than something as stylish, and frankly stunning, in such a complementary and almost contradictory way. The buckles and shoulder straps are strong and secure, with big buckles that can be adjusted to suit your height, whether you be on the shorter side like me or Amazonian like Ashley.

Inside the Copper River Voyager there's plenty of room for your iPad, iPhone, laptop, and more.

In addition to the interior iPad pocket, the Voyager has a larger pocket than can fit up to a 15-inch MacBook or similar sized laptop. It also has pockets for 2 pens, 2 cellphones, and an extra pocket for magazines (for when your electronics are banned during takeoff and landing). Copper River also offers a selection of other bags as well as full grain leather wallets for iPhone.

Just a friendly #FollowFriday reminder — we have a couple of amazing prizes, including a Jawbone JAMBOX and a $200 iTunes gift card just waiting to be won by the always awesome members of our iMore Nations. All you have to do to enter is:

• Friend iMore on Facebook
• Subscribe to iMore on YouTube

And that’s it! Though while you’re at it, you may as well hook yourself up here as well, for random promo codes and other giveaways.

• Follow iMore on Twitter
• Circle iMore on Google+

Done and done? Good, because you won’t believe the next batch of contests we have coming your way!

For some it will be a no-brainer. The untethered jailbreak of the iPhone 4S has been their holy grail, the thing they’ve been waiting for, the thing that will complete them and make their iPhone 4S finally, fully functional the way an end user intends.

Others feel iOS 5 copied so many basic jailbreak features, including and especially notifications, that there’s no need to bother with jailbreak anymore. Apple has you covered.

Vote in the poll up top and give us your reasons — pro, con, or still on the fence — in the comments below.

Oh, you know I had to do a hands-on and give the iMore Nation a quick look at the glowing Apple logo mod for iPhone and iPhone 4. Despite Ally’s warnings, the moment I saw this luminescent bit of K.O.Gadget awesome go up for sale I knew I had to have it. My own. My precious!

I’ll be doing the mod this weekend, and hopefully electrocuting neither myself nor my precious iPhone in the process, and will have the full video up for you soon. In the meantime, whether you want one of your very own, are still on the fence, or will have nothing to do with such brazen acts of folly, check out the unboxing for the pure, geeky thrill of it!

“If you like the Smart Cover but don’t like its propensity to fall off or the lack of protection it provides the back plate, you’ll love the Choiix Wake Up Folio for iPad 2.”

The Choiix Wake Up Folio for iPad 2 is just like Apple’s Smart Cover but includes a back plate to protect the aluminum backing of your iPhone. That extra back case also means it won’t fall off the way Apple’s Smart Cover often does. In fact, the iPad 2 snaps right in and fits snuggly and securely enough that you can lift it by the cover, something impossible with Apple’s original.

Unlike Smart Covers, you can dangle your iPad by the Choiix Wake Up Folio

Since the Choiix Wake Up Folio includes the back case along with the cover, it is heavier and bulkier than Apple’s Smart Cover, but there’s always a trade-off between profile and protection. Like Apple’s Smart Cover, magnets in the iPad 2 and in the case allow it to turn your iPad 2 on when you open the cover, and off when you close it again.

Open the Choiix Wake Up Folio and -- surprise! -- your iPad 2 wakes up!

Also like Apple’s Smart Cover, you can fold the Choiix Wake Up Folio’s cover up to work as a stand in either flat mode for typing or stand-up mode for watching videos and movies. It’s perhaps not quite as bendable as Apple’s, but it’s close enough not to matter. The cover is polyurethane with a soft, plush inside to protect against scratches. It comes in just about every color you’d expect — white, gray, blue, green, orange, pink, and black.

Folding the cover back into itself can give a subtle boost for typing or a major tilt for video viewing

Cutouts provide access to all the usual ports and while most won’t cause a problem, they are cut close enough that some of the chunkier media cables or automotive chargers might have a tough time squeezing in. There’s also a grid over the back speaker and while minor, the more sound sensitive among you might notice the difference.

Source: Cooler Master

The giveaway

Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a Choiix Wake Up Folio of you very own!

Some people think Apple is spearheading a new generation of in-depth, interactive, learning tools to bring textbooks and classrooms into the next generation. Others think Apple has once again created a proprietary platform to once again exert draconian control over and increase platform lock-in.

Some people think Apple has created an alternative to the expensive, outdated, antiquated books students used to have to lug around. Others think Apple sucks for not offering $12 iPads to go along with it.

We’ll be back to give you our collective opinions later, but right now it’s your turn, iMore Nation. What do you think of Apple’s educational offerings?

“From kitchen to office to bedroom, the Spiderarm holds your iPad in almost any position, at almost any angle, making it the perfect companion for reading, watching, and working.”

The Spiderarm is an enormously cool articulated stand for the iPad. While it might look like something out of Terminator, this decidedly non-robotic stand is composed of several sections, combined together with a ball joints that is both easy to move and solid enough to stay in place.

The Spiderarm is ideal for everything from holding up your recipes to serving as teleprompter for video recording.

I love the spiderarm and use it all the time. I even use it to keep track of the chat room during our live podcast shows. You can vary the amount of sections you use to change the length of the Spriderarm. You can also choose between clamping it somewhere convenient but non-permanent, or screwing it into a wall for the long term.

The clamp is ideal for securing the Spiderarm to a desk, shelf, or other thin, flat surface

The ball joint connects to the frame that holds your iPad in place and offers pretty much 360 degrees of movement so not only can you get the arm itself positioned just the way you want, your can angle the iPad to avoid reflections and create the best reading or viewing angle possible. Just tighten the joint to hold it in place, loosen to get it moving again.

The well-constructed ball joint allows for a remarkable range of motion

The giveaway

Leave a comment below to enter to win a FREE Spiderarm of your very own!

I’m fortunate in that I get to try out and review a lot of iPhone and iPad accessories every year, but at the same time that makes it hard to pick just a few out as my favorites. I love a really wide variety of gear — from super shiny cases to really convenient docks, to strange, beautiful, almost unclassifiable experiments and innovations. Still, the job before me is to reveal my most used iPhone and iPad accessories, and do it I shall!

Choiix Wave Stand for iPad

The wave stand by Choiix is light, flexible, and exceptionally well made. It’s got grips on the bottom so that when you put it in place, it stays in place, and that means your iPad stays in place with it. It supports both portrait and landscape mode not only for the iPad but for any tablet device you may so choose.

• $39.99 – Amazon store link

White Diamonds cases for iPhone and iPad

Supremely Beautiful, White Diamonds cases for iPhone and iPad combine stunning artwork and superbly crafted Swarovski crystals for a totally sublime look. While the protection is average, the look is just far beyond that of any other cases I’ve reviewed.

• Variable – White Diamonds

Spiderarm holder for iPad 2

The Spiderarm holder for iPad 2 might look different from any other iPad 2 holder but it’s incredibly well thought out and versatile. Because of its extension and multiple points of articulation, the Spiderarm lets you position your iPad 2 just exactly where you want it, whether that be in bed for reading or watching videos, or next to a camera for teleprompting while shooting one.

• $79.00 – Spiderarm

Aquapack waterproof iPhone and iPad case

I use Aquapacks all the time, for everything from web surfing in the bath to playing on the beech during a family vacation. It’s easy to use, it’s light weight, and while it’s not much to look at it does a great job of protecting your iPhone, iPad, or even money, credit cards, and other valuables you can’t afford to get wet.

• Variable – iMore Store

Qmadix Dual Mobile Charging Kit for iPhone and iPad

The Qmadix Dual Mobile Charging Kit for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch lets me charge two iOS devices — even the power-hungry iPad! — at the same time. If you’re going on a long family trip, or even an extended drive for the holidays, this can make all the difference between peacefully playing children and happily tapping husbands, and the agony and pain of bored passengers with dead devices turning their angry gazes in your direction.

• $34.95 – iMore Store

While the rumors suggest no hardware, which means no iPad 3, I think many of us are holding out at least a little secret hope that Apple pulls a fast one and decides to show off just how good educational material looks on a 2048×1536 resolution Retina display. What, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Fine. Back to reality. Electronic textbooks (eTextbooks? iTextbooks?) are one of the biggest rumors, thanks to Steve Jobs mentioning how ripe they were for disruption. Will they be iBooks-style ePub books? A new format? A proprietary new format? Will they be sold in an iTextbookStore, or will they be handled the way Apple is handling TV and movie content, via apps collected in a special Newsstand-style folder?

Will iTextbooks be produced exclusively by Apple and for iOS? Will traditional textbook publishers be able to participate? Will you and me? If Apple makes a publishing tool as easy to use as iWork’s Pages, that might just be possible.

iTunes U is a terrific resource and certainly education-focused. Could iTunes U play a roll in Apple’s announcements?

We’ll find out for sure tomorrow (and make sure you join us for a special edition of iPhone and iPad Live at 10am ET and follow along for the event!), but in the meantime, what do you think? Vote in the poll above and make your best guesses in the comments below!

“This Incipio SILICRYLIC is ideal for anyone who wants good protection without excessive bulk, and the ability to quickly prop up their iPhone for easy video viewing.”

The Incipio SILICRYLIC case with integrated kickstand stands (literally!) somewhere between a feather case and a full-on armor case, providing twin layers of protection without being overly bulky about it. The two layers consist of a silky, silicone core that slips onto your iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 almost like a wetsuit. The acrylic shell clamps over, on top, to provide greater impact protection to the back and sides. It does take a little bit of wiggling to line everything up perfectly, however.

Included in the box is the dual-layered case and the vanity kit screen protector set.

A “Vanity Kit” comes standard with the Incipio SILICRYLIC, and I’m not even going to lie, it’s just the sort of extra I love to see. The kit includes a cleaning cloth, screen protector, and applicator card, so you can protect the one thing the case itself doesn’t cover, that big, beautiful, scratch-able glass display.

And here’s the part where I unbury the lede — it also has a kickstand. I’ve often said I wanted a kickstand on the iPhone — and been made fun of because of it! — but where Apple continues to ignore me, Incipio has listened. Just pop the kickstand open on the back of the SILICRYLIC and you can prop up your iPhone and get down to some serious video watching. The only downside, and it’s a big one, is that the kickstand only works in landscape mode. If you try to stand it up in portrait mode, unless you have Crique de Soleil level balancing skills, it’s going to fall over almost immediately. Hopefully Incipio will engineer a more flexible kickstand in the future, especially if the feature is important enough to be included in the product’s name.

Incipio SILICRYLIC with kickstand is perfect for video watching...

...provided you only want to watch the Incipio SILICRYLIC in landscape mode!

Apple television — iTV if you’re trendy — rumors just won’t quit, but rather than bloggers and analysts, we’re curious what you, the super smart members of the iMore Nation think Apple might have in store for your big living room screens?

Will there be one-size-fits-all, like iPhone and iPad, or a couple sizes like iMacs? What size or sizes would you prefer? 32- and 37-inches? 55-inches? 72-inches? Will they be 16:10 or 16:9?

Are we going to see something sleek and sexy, a glass and aluminum unibody, like Apple’s existing product line or will we finely see some fancy carbon fiber or even liquid metal to cut down on the weight and take us into the future? Will there be input ports so you can hook up your existing cable or satellite box, your game console, or your receiver to the iTV? Will Apple want or even let all they cables muddy the appearance of their beautiful screen?

It almost has to run iOS like the existing Apple TV set top box, but will it run the same iOS as the existing Apple TV? Steve Jobs said he cracked the 10″ user interface, but does that mean a Springboard-style grid of apps like iPhone and iPad or will Siri be the primary way we launch apps and search for shows? (“Play me something with ninja assassins!”)

How will you control it? The current Apple Remote device and app are both… okay but neither are ideal. A Siri mic? Xbox Kinect style gestures? Will Apple keep it simple or will they really try to wow us again?

Will Apple be able to get content deals in place for network television stations? For major league sports? For pay-per-view movies? For specialty channels? And how will they present them? An ever growing list below “Shows” like on Apple TV or will each “channel” be an app like on iPhone and iPad? Will it have other apps like Safari or Twitter or Calendar so iTV is actually productive as well as fun? Or will it all be AirPlay from your iOS devices?

Would we even see it this year? Is 2012 the right time for an iTV or should Apple wait until 2013 to ramp up their television plans? And what happens to the existing Apple TV? Is it kept around for those who don’t want an Apple television but still want the content, or does Apple ditch it to force us to buy the more expensive television?

Apple hasn’t even announced the desire to announce a television set yet, and maybe they never will, but with so much speculation going on, we want to know what you want to have. What kind of iTV would like Apple to make you?

“Mujjo capacitive touchscreen gloves are amust-have for any serious iPhone or iPad user caught in a cold, wintery climate.”

Why have I instantly fallen in love with Mujjo’s capacitive touchscreen gloves for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad? It’s simple, really. I live in Canada where it’s routinely been -20 celsius for the last couple of weeks — so cold that when you go outside your face freezes and the last thing you want to do is pull off your nice warm gloves just to use your iPhone while out and about. You’d rather miss a call, wait to answer a text, or forget about looking something up on the web than risk the frostbite inducing winds and bone chilling snow. But with Mujjo, I don’t have to give up my multitouch just to stay warm — thanks to the capacitive carry-through, I can slide to unlock and tap away all from within the comfort of my gloves.

Unlike some iPhone-friendly gloves, Mujjo doesn’t just weave capacitive thread into the thumb and forefinger, but they’re made of high-quality silver-coated nylon fibers knitted into the fabric of the glove. The entire gloves! You can tap away with any finger you like. You can tap away with your knuckles, palm, ridge of your hand — literally any part of the glove. That makes it so much easier to use in the cold weather and is a huge advantage over other gloves. The only downside is that they made two-sizes fits all, and I have fairly small hands so even the smaller size is a little loose on me, and I need to push a little harder to make the capacitive connection than I expect someone with larger hands might.

Wearing the Mujjo, I could do everything I needed to do with my iPhone, including making and answering phone calls, texting, and surfing the web at about 80% of my normal speed.

The giveaway

Leave a comment below to enter to win one of 10 free pairs of Mujjo capacitive touchscreen gloves for iPhone and iPad!

The final episode of iPad Live comes your way tonight with a look back at CES 2012 and all the non-CES news that hit the web last week. Historic! Join us!

(And yes, we’ll explain that whole final episode thing live on the show. No spoilers!)

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

If you have ever found yourself pressing the snooze button too many times on your iPhone in the morning, then here are best alarm tones to ensure you get up right away. They’re all YouTube clips, but you can easily sample sounds from youtube and turn them into custom tones all your own.

• Jaws Theme. Not sure if this is actually the scariest sound in the world, but it will definitely make you decide pretty fast to get ready for work.

• Halloween theme song.

• Big Bang Theory. Probably the scariest of them all. Howard’s Mom can get anyone up.

-The Grudge. I didn’t actually find this sound particularly scary but it seemed to frighten everyone else. You take a listen and let me know what you think.

• and trepidation.

• Jokers Laugh, The Dark Knight. Eerie.

I did try the popular Friday the 13th theme three times but without the man in the hockey mask chasing after you, the music ends up being more relaxing than terror-inducing. If you know of any other alarm tone that are guaranteed to get you out of bed and up to face the day, let us know in the comments below.

Image source: Wallpaper Dark Nightmare

New to iPhone and wondering how to change your signature to something a little more custom and personal than “Sent from my iPhone?” Luckily, it’s easy to do and it can save you a lot of time when you are writing your emails. It also will reduce the chances of making contact detail errors. Here’s how.

1. Tap on the settings application on your home screen. 2. Tap on Mail, Contacts, Calendars. 3. Scroll down to Signature. 4. Enter whatever details you would like.

Note: This signature will be on all your outgoing mail so make sure it’s appropriate for all your contents!

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to dailytips@tipb.com.

It seems Acer and Samsung didn’t even wait for CES 2012 to officially start before announcing AcerCloud, PicStream, and SwipeIt, or basically what Apple announced in 2011. Acer was up first with a service called AcerCloud that sounds suspiciously like iCloud, even substituting PicStream for Photo Stream. Hmm…

And if that’s not enough, Samsung — who have made it something of a habit to copy Apple — have now gone so far as it to create an AirPlay clone called — I kid you not! — SwipeIt.

About the only thing left is the race to see who will launch the first real Siri competitor. While third party attempts like Iris, Google’s Majel project, etc. made some early noise, as did fake — and now removed — “Official” Siri for Android apps, it’s only a matter of time before someone like Samsung or Google themselves go all in on a Siri-like service all their own.

Imitation is still the sincerest form of flattery, right?

Source: Android Central

The Woogie by Griffin is a soft, plush, huggable, toy that doubles as an iPhone or iPod touch case. It’s meant for children, to give them something to hold up their iPod touch for easy game playing or video watching, or to protect your iPhone if you’re letting them use it.

With big round body and five legs, the Woogie is easy to position whether it’s on the floor, a table, in a car, or on a lap. It comes in either pink or blue and the big round body is soft and fuzzy/furry to the touch. Even on its own could be a fun toy for a young child but what makes it even better is the clear, capacitive window in the front that holds an iPod touch or iPhone. Kids can cuddle the toy and play with the device right through the window, and if they drop it or knock it or kick it, the plushie offers a lot of protection.

The good

• Soft, cute, and cuddly
• Weighted feet so stays in place
• Makes an iPhone or iPod touch harder to lose
• Hold up to the bumps and drops kids are likely to put it through.

The bad

• Larger to pack and carry than a regular case
• Would be nice to have strap/backpack option
• Don’t feed it after midnight.

The conclusion

The Woogie is great for young children, wether around the house or to take on a trip. It’s huggable, luggable, and colorful for them, and easy to find and safer to keep an iPhone or iPod touch in for you. That’s a really smart combination.

The giveaway

Leave a comment below telling us why you’d like a Woogie of you very own. Only one comment per person, please! Make sure you leave a real email address. We won’t share it but we’ll need it to contact you if you win! Contest starts now and ends Friday, January 13 at 12pm PT. Now hurry up and enter!

Source: Griffin

CES 2012 is almost upon us and while Apple wouldn’t be caught dead at the show, there will certainly be plenty of iPhone, iPod touch and iPad accessories crowding the halls, perhaps some new apps for the new year, and who knows — maybe yet another dummy iPad leak?

We’ll have Rene, Leanna, Ally, Jared, and the whole Mobile Nations crew live at the event to bring you the very latest and greatest CES 2012 has to offer.

So my question, iMore Nation, is this — what do you want to see? What hot new cases do you want? What amazing new accessories? What killer new apps? Last year we had iPhone blood pressure readers, remote controlled drones, car starters, robot balls, and tons of other super sweet tech — what can they do to top themselves this year?

We’re doing a special combined edition of iPhone and iPad Live again tonight, and following it up with a special edition of ZENandTECH with our very first guest — Phil Nickinson of Android Central! So cancel any other plans, grab a drink and some snacks, and get ready for the best darn night of podcasting you’ve ever experienced!

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

If you listened to Girls Gone Gadgets last night, you heard Ashley, Kim, and me debate Verizon’s new $2 convenience tax — where and when it’s actually applied and how much money they stand to make from it over the course of a year. (Plus, perhaps, some mature language and impassioned ranting.) But at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what anybody thinks but Verizon customers. If you’re one of them, is $24 a year insignificant to you? Is it annoying but something you’ll just pay attention to avoid? Or is it the last straw that drives you to another carrier? (Who might just be smart enough to phrase or hide their fees better — cough, Sprint, cough.)

We’re running a cross-site Mobile Nations poll, so vote below and give us your thoughts in the comments below.

So to get it out of the way, while I’m running iOS 5 on my iPad I’m still running iOS 4 on my iPhone. I need my jailbreak, the iOS 5 untethered jailbreak just went live yesterday, and I haven’t had time to update yet. That’s why many of my apps, and a couple of my most-used apps of 2011, other than Mail, Safari, etc. are mainly jailbreak apps. Oh, and games!

LockInfo

The original Notification Center, it’s still way more useful and not only lets me keep track of everything but lets me quickly preview messages so I can stay on top of things during my typically hectic days.

• $7.99 – Web link

Infinidock

Apple’s stock 4 apps in the dock simply aren’t enough for me. I want more and Infinidock provides for just that. Thanks to Infinidock, I can only keep Mail, Safari and Phone at the ready, but App Store and iTunes Store, and many, more more as well. (Yes, I download a lot of apps and music, but I can use the excuse that it’s my job!). Just add all you want and scroll away!

• Cydia Link

Twitter for iPhone

I don’t use Twitter that much, so even though Twitter for iPhone went through a major change recently, it’s still my go to Twitter app. It lets me see my replies and write my tweets and that’s pretty much all I need. (Though I do find Tweetbot adorable!)

• Free – App Store link

Chuzzle

I love strategy games and while I still played Plants vs. Zombies and Field Runners last year, Chuzzle has been my main addiction of late. It’s cute, it’s easy to get into and out of if you only have a short amount of time, and it’s by Popcap so how can you go wrong?

• $2.99 – App Store link

Netflix

I have a digital antenna and Windows Media Center PVR for most of my day-to-day television viewing, but for pretty much everything else I use Netflix on the Apple TV. It has great old shows like Damages and the original X-Men cartoon. If you have young kids, Netflix is hours of entertainment, especially if you put it on their iPod touches!

• Free with subscription – App Store link

We’re doing a special combined edition of iPhone and iPad Live tonight, and following it up with a special edition of ZENandTECH, so clear your schedule, pour a spicy drink, get your snacks lined up, and show up to chat!

And yes, we’ll be announcing the winner of our 2011 iOS Dream Device giveaway! So make sure you’re there!

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

Personally, I just switched to the Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case and I’m loving it. Before that I was using the Draco IV and before that, the BodyGuardz Carbon Fiber.

As always, vote in the poll up top and give us the reasons why in the comments below. And if you’re not sure what kind of case you like yet, check out the links below for lots of examples!

• TiPb iPhone 4S Accessory Store
• Amazon iPhone 4S Accessories

So, what awesome iOS devices — iPhones, iPads, iPod touch, Apple TVs — did you get this year for Christmas, Hanukkah, or just because? What awesome accessories were in your stockings? What amazing apps were gifted your way?

Naughty or nice, TiPb Nation, we know you’re ripping the wrapping paper off gifts, busting open boxes, and tapping in redeem codes, and we want to know what’s inside — so fill us in already!

Were your stockings stuffed with iPhones and iPods? Did Santa leave an iPad or Apple TV beneath the tree? Well, once you’ve ripped off the wrapping paper, torn open the boxes, and powered everything up… you may be wondering just what to do next?!

Don’t worry, TiPb’s here to help! And hey, if you already know everything you need to know, just forward this link to that friend or family member who’s about to ask your help. We’ll take care of them so you can get on with your own holiday merriment.

• iPhone and iPod touch new users guide
• Top 10 apps for new iPhone and iPod touch users
• iPad new users guide
• Top 10 apps for new iPad users
• Everything Apple TV coverage
• Jailbreak starters guide
• Holiday wallpapers, music, movies, apps, and games

Need more help? Jump into the TiPb Forums for expert help and the best conversation on the ‘net! A

• iPhone and iPad Forums

The Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 adds some color, some texture, and some design tweaks to make one of the hottest cases of last year just that much hotter!

• Available at store.tipb.com for U.S shoppers
• Available at bluestore.ca for Canadian shoppers

Design wise, the Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case is just as the name describes — barely there. It’s about as close a fit and slim a case as the materials and laws of physics allow. The new colors, silver, black, pink, red, and gold are really nice looking, and as always all the ports and buttons are cut extra wide so you don’t have to worry about your 3.5mm headset jack or dock connector fitting. I tried it on both a black and a white iPhone, both the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S, and it looked absolutely amazing on both.

Now because the Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum is such a slim and fitting case, and while they say it’s impact resistant — and show a picture of a hammer hitting it to drive the point home! — you’re not getting the same level of protection as you would from a bigger, bulkier case. It will, however, stop any scratches, bumps, and light impact along the back and sides. It also doesn’t protect the front, and there’s no screen protector included, so if that’s a concern you’ll need to pick up a BodyGuardz, InvisibleShield, or similar product separately.

Also, you need to know what you’re doing to remove it, especially if you’re a girl and don’t want to break a nail. I flipped it over and peeled the volume-control side off first, the popped my iPhone out. It took some practice to get good at, but if you plan on putting it on and leaving it on, you won’t need to worry about it much.

Overall I really like the look and feel of the Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. I’ve always been a fan of Case-Mate’s Barely There line, and their metallic finishes, and this one is no exception. If you’re looking for something that’s stylish and sophisticated, give the Case-Mate a try.

• Available at store.tipb.com for U.S shoppers
• Available at bluestore.ca for Canadian shoppers

Giveaway

Would you like to win a Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 of your very own? Wait, why am I even asking? Of course you would! Just leave a comment below telling us why this would be the perfect case for you. We’ll pick a winner, and you’ll get a case!

Giveaway starts now and ends December 29, 2011 at 9pm PT. So what are you waiting for? Enter now!!

Ally’s new series of weekly iPhone and iPad mods and repairs inspired me to try and see how well a total beginner like myself could tackle her projects. So, playing n00b to her ninja, the first thing I thought I’d try was a simple backplate swap.

And the folks at unyousual.net were kind of enough to supply me with a custom backplate to get me going. I picked the classic 6-colors Apple logo on a nice, dark wood textured background, uploaded it to their site, submitted it, then waited by the mailbox for it to arrive.

Swapping out the backplate was a little nerve-wracking, I’m not even going to lie. My iPhone 4 is out of warranty, so that wasn’t a concern. Seeing everything open, with the battery and components exposed, took a few deep breaths to get used to.

unyousual.net provided both types of screwdrivers, both regular and pentalobe, and they were magnetized so I didn’t have to worry about losing the screws — at least as much as I might have otherwise. Once the screws were out, swapping the backplate was quick and easy. Slide the original one out, slide the new one in, refasten the screws.

The results were super sweet too. The new custom backplate looks stunning — so stunning I had to immediately protect it from those around me who tried to make off with it!

If you’re at all interested in mods for your iPhone, a backplate swap is a really nice, simple way to get started. Just pick up your own custom kit from unyousual.net and give it a try!

Giveaway

The awesome team over at unyousual.net are giving our equally awesome readers a chance to win one of five (5!) free custom iPhone backplates! Here’s what you need to do to enter:

1. Go to unyousual.net and upload the custom picture you want to use.
2. Take a screen capture or picture of your custom backplate and
3. Post the screenshot in the official contest thread
4. We’ll pick 5 (five!) of you and unyousual.net will send you your backplate!

What are you waiting for? Enter now!

• Official custom iPhone backplate mod giveaway entry thread

The fine folks at Element Case have offered to give away a couple of their super sweet new Vapor Comp Epiphany cases to our very own members of the TiPb Nation. The Vapor Comp Epiphany is the latest in their line of stunning looking, high-end aluminum and poly carbonate iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S bumper cases, and this one does look especially good.

What say we take them up on that giveaway then? All you have to do to win is:

1. Head on over to ElementCase.com
2. Check out the Vapor Comp Epiphany specs.
3. Come back here and leave a (1) reply in the contest forum thread telling us what you like best about the Vapor Comp Epiphany.
4. Oh, mention what color you want as well!

That’s it! We’ll pick the winners and Element will ship you your beautiful new iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 case!

Ready, set… Enter now!

iPhone Live, the best darn iPhone podcast in the ‘verse, is coming your way tonight, so clear your schedule and get your snacks ready, because we want to chat with you!

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am BST.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

The Qmadix Dual Mobile Charging Kit for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch lets you charge two iOS devices — even the power-hungry iPad! — at the same time. If you’re going on a long family trip, or even an extended drive for the holidays, this can make all the difference between peacefully playing children and happily tapping significant others, and the agony and pain of bored passengers with dead devices turning their angry gazes in your direction.

The Qmadix includes the twin-charging USB hub made out of “rugged” (rugged they say!) polycarbonate, advanced circuitry to prevent overheating/overcharging, and 10W (2.1 amps) of charging power. There’s also a 4-foot USB dock cable included for good measure.

There’s really not much more to say — the Qmadix performs as advertised and if you’re planning to be in the car with more than one iOS device for more than a couple of hours, you owe it to your collective family’s sanity to pack a couple of these babies with you!

• Get the Qmadix Dual Mobile Charging Kit for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch from the TiPb Store

Giveaway

Want to win a Qmadix Dual Mobile Charging Kit for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch of your very own? Just leave a comment letting us know how this little beauty might save your car trip this holiday season, and we’ll pick one of you to win!

Ready… set… post!

Griffin has announced a new iPhone, iPod touch and iPad accessory called GuitarConnect Pro, and it aims to add both an instrument input and gain controller to really let you rock out with Apple’s GarageBand.

Designed to work with any instrument that has a ¼ inch jack (including guitars, bass guitars, electric violins, keyboards, etc.), GuitarConnect Pro was created to turn iPad or iPhone into a compact performance or practice rig. A built-in gain control wheel allows the user to adjust the strength of the instrument’s input signal.

Any music loving, guitar wielding members of the TiPb Nation planning to try this baby out?

• Get the Griffin GuitarConnect Pro on Amazon.com
• Get GarageBand for iPhone and iPad from the App Store
• Get your groove on in the TiPb Music, DJ, and Jamming Forum

How do you shop on your iPhone or iPad? Do you browse websites in Safari on your device the same way you would on your desktop? Or do you use dedicated apps? From Apple’s own Apple Store app to Best Buy to Walmart to Bloomingdales, a lot of big retailer have dedicated apps in the App Store these days. Even the big online retailers like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, the ones that made their fortunes on the web, have dedicated apps. Some of them are pretty sweet too, with slick interfaces and cool effects that make the shopping experience just that much better.

If you have the option, do you prefer to create an account or just check out as a guest? There’s certainly convenience to having a frequently used store like Amazon keep your shipping and even payment info recorded, but for smaller stores without big brand names, privacy might be more important.

Do you typically pay by credit card or do you prefer services like Paypal that sit in the middle? Most credit card companies have fairly good fraud protection, but Paypal can be easier and quicker to simply log into.

What about the checkbox for customer mailings, do you like getting sent special promotions and newsletters, or do you just want to shop as you so wish and be left alone and not bothered afterwards?

It’s really nice to be able to shop on your iPhone when you’re on the go, or curl up and browse on your iPad when you have a moment’s peace. Which one do you prefer to shop with, and how do you prefer to get your shopping done?

The For iPhone Lens for the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 comes with a tripod, a holder, a case, and large zoom lens that can take your photos all up close and personal.

Assembly is easy and the results are good. It’s not priced in the thousands like Nikon or Canon lenses, so set your expectations according, but it does exactly what it claims — adds an 8x optical zoom to your iPhone photography.

I tried it out on both an iPhone 4 and and iPhone 4S. Both take good photos and the iPhone 4S takes great photos for a phone, but the built in digital zoom is… really not great. So, my primary concern here was for something affordable that handled optical zoom but otherwise got out of the way and let the iPhone camera do the heavy lifting. And that’s what I got.

If you don’t want to lug around a DSLR or even a pocket camera, but still want something to help you take pictures of your kids soccer game, your favorite band in concert, your special someone accepting an award, wild life on your nature walk, or anything else you need to get a closer look at but just can’t get closer to, the For iPhone Lens is definitely something to consider.

Source: Photojojo

iPad Live, the best iPad podcast in the universe, is coming your way tonight, so get your snacks in order, pour a tasty beverage or several, and get ready to rock!

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

• Our podcast feed: Audio | Video
• Download Directly: Audio | Video
• Subscribe in iTunes: Audio | Video

Ashley and Georgia stab hate at the Playstation Vita’s proprietary memory sticks, talk after-date communication protocols and keeping your timeline clean, get challenged by the CrackBerry Nation, and give their holiday device, accessory, and app picks! This is Girls Gone Gadgets!

Spotlight

• PlayStation Vita’s proprietary memory is a joke

Girl eyes for the gadget guys

• After a date, so you wait for the guy to contact you first? How long should you wait? Has SMS and BBM replaced the phone call for pre- and post-date banter?
• Adult language — is it okay over BBM? SMS? On semi-public sites like Twitter or Facebook? Do I need to keep my timeline clean? What about during a date? Can I go all Samuel L Jackson — or Ashley Esqueda — on them?

Device Gifts

• Galaxy Nexus
• Kindle Fire
• iPad 2
• Porsche Design BlackBerry P’9981

Accessory Gifts

• SONOS Play:5 setup
• Cube Laser Keyboard

App Gifts

• Infinity Blade II
• RockSmith

Grab bag

• Robin Williams re-writes Siri

Hosts

• Ashley Esqueda (@ashleyesqueda)
• Georgia (@GeorgiaTiPb)
• Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie)

Feedback

Got something to say? Agree or disagree with something we said? Have something you want us to discuss on a future show? Don’t just sit there yelling at the screen, dammit, let us know!

• Email: st@mobions.co
• Twitter: @mobilenations
• Web: www.mobilenations.com

Credits

Thanks to the Mobile Nations network of store for sponsoring this podcast, and to our fantastic live chat members for keeping us honest and making us smart!

iPhone Live, the best darn iPhone podcast in the ‘verse, is coming your way tonight, so clear your schedule and get your snacks ready, because we want to chat with you!

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am BST.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

While some carriers in some countries allow for free tethering on the more expensive data plans, many countries, including the US do not. That means those carriers make extra money charging for tethering plans, and apps like Netshare and iTether threaten that extra money (or double-dipping, as you may wish to call it.)

I don’t know if Apple has carrier agreements in place to prevent tethering apps and protect revenue streams, the way they once did to prevent VoIP over 3G, but should that really be the users problem? Should it be Apple’s to police? If you get a tethering app and stay beneath your data cap, shouldn’t that be between you and your carrier? And if you’re on an unlimited plan, aren’t they already sending nastygrams if you go over a certain amount anyway?

TiPb Nation, what do you think? Should Apple allow tethering apps in the App Store?

The Choiix Wave Stand for iPad is an aluminum holder that will work for any tablet. It’s beautiful looking — almost Apple-esque — well-made, sturdy, and inexpensive, what’s not to love?

The Wave Stand has lots of nice touches like rubberized feet to keep it in place even when you’re tapping, typing and prodding at your iPad. The back of the stand is also rubberized and grooved to keep your iPad from slipping down or out. You can easily adjust angles and because it’s strong, it stays right where you want it. You can use it with your iPad in either portrait or landscape mode, though in landscape mode pushing the iPad home button does make it wiggle a bit. (You can use your iOS 5 multitasking gestures to get around that.)

I’ve been using it all the time and I find it absolutely amazing. I use it at the table so I can browse the web while eating, on the counter while cooking, and on the desk while typing.

Best of all, Choiix is going to give one away to a lucky TiPb reader, so if you want in all you have to do is leave a comment below telling me how you would use the Wave Stand.

Source: Choiix

iPad Live, the best iPad podcast in the universe, is coming your way tonight, so find a hardline and get ready to jack into the Matrix, because if you thought bullet-time blew you away, you haven’t seen anything yet…

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

The DracoDesign DRACO IV is an absolutely stunning aluminum bumper for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. I tested a limited edition Jewel Beatle on both the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 for a couple weeks and came away impressed.

It does take a little bit of work to get the DRACO IV installed. It comes in two solid pieces. You need to properly place all the button caps into the proper cutouts and angle the larger of the two pieces so they don’t fall out while you slide your iPhone into place. (Yes, it took me a couple of tries!) You can then slide on the other piece and secure it into place with two screws. Of course, that also means if you want to take it off you need to remove the screws, so it’s not as convenient as a slide on case if that’s important to you. But oh, the look!

The Jewel Beatle has an opalescent finish that alternates from blue to green to purple. It looks terrific. It also has nicely designed curves and angles that make it easier to grip and hold onto.

All the ports are accessible and widely cut, and fit Apple and most 3rd party dock and 3.5mm cables well. I did have a problem with a few extra thick cables, including a car charger and the POP phone receiver. So while you shouldn’t have any trouble, do check your accessories if they tend towards the large size.

With aluminum bumpers there are always questions about what, if any, effect they may have on reception. In two weeks of use on two devices, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, I did notice a drop of about 1 bar on average, on a few occasions, 2 bars. That’s compared to other iPhones on the same network at the same time and place. It never caused any dropped calls or loss of data, but if you live or spend time in an area of really poor reception, it’s something to keep in mind.

Overall, the DracoDesign DRACO IV is one of the most gorgeous cases I’ve used on my iPhone. It has a beautiful, sculpted look and the finish of the Jewel Beatle in particular is just fantastic.

Source: DracoDesign USA

Rene already commented on Microsoft’s “We had TellMe before Apple had Siri” sob story, but it bears repeating:

It’s amazing how decades later, Microsoft still doesn’t get it. A feature isn’t just a feature isn’t just a feature. It’s more than the sum of its technology and design. Android had great voice control going back to the Nexus One. But Siri isn’t voice control. Siri is context and relationships and Siri is absolutely personality. That Apple programmed Siri to feel like a Pixar character is what made it engaging and what got the internet to flood itself with screenshots showing hundreds of funny, witty, strange, and engaging Siri moments. It isn’t that Siri can transcribe a text message to Eric, it’s how it does it and how you feel doing it.

Windows Mobile and others had touchscreens for years before Apple debuted the iPhone. Then and now, it wasn’t about the spec but the experience.

Keep that in mind while watching the video above.

Source: TechAU on YouTube

If you took advantage of the big moderate sales on Apple iOS devices today to score yourself a brand new iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Apple TV, you might have opened the box, powered up… and then wondered what the heck to do next? No problem! TiPb’s got you covered!

And if you already know what you’re doing, just save this link to send to family and friends so you can get off the tech support hook and get on with having fun. We’ll do the heavy lifting for you!

• iPhone and iPod touch new users guide
• Top 10 apps for new iPhone and iPod touch users
• iPad new users guide
• Top 10 apps for new iPad users
• Apple TV coverage

Also, don’t forget to jump into the TiPb Forums for expert help and the best conversation on the ‘net! And when you’re done, leave me a comment and let me know how you’re enjoying your new device!

Geeks are really difficult to buy for. They know everything. They have everything. Every iPhone case, every iPad stand, one of each color for every model ever released. So unlike our other 2011 holiday gift guides that focus on awesome gifts to make your iPhone or iPad better, this one is branching out — this one covers everything not iPhone or iPad! (Well, not everything, but a lot of really cool, really awesome stuff we think your geeks will really love!)

UPDATE: Some of this stuff is currently on Black Friday sale! If you’ve been thinking about getting a great gift for your geek, check them out today and you’ll likely save a few bucks!

Boon Glo Nightlight with Portable Balls

For the little geeks who never want you to turn out the lights when they go to bed, now they can take the lights with them to bed. For parents, the lights will fade slowly over a 30 min. period, letting your little ones drift off to sleep. For kids — listen carefully — monsters are deathly afraid of glowing orb lights!

• Get Boon Glo Nightlight with Portable Balls on Amazon.com

The 24-105mm Travel Coffee Mug

They love photography. They love coffee. What’s not to love about a hot beverage holder that looks just like a lens? And if this size doesn’t suit you, there are a bunch of other sizes, up to full thermoses. Just remember — drink them, don’t shoot with them!

• Get 24-105mm Travel Coffee Mug on Amazon.com

Air Swimmers Remote Controlled Flying Shark

It’s a balloon, it’s a shark, it’s remote controlled. What could be cooler than that? Just imagine it moving slowly, soundlessly down the hallway, around the corner. Cue the Jaws theme. Coming up from behind the sofa… Eyes black as coal.

Yeah, I think you’re going to need a bigger living room!

• Get Air Swimmers Remote Controlled Flying Shark at Amazon.com

Star Wars R2-D2 Trashcan

“Ooteenee!” Apparently that’s Jawa for “hey, flip the lid on that astromech so I can toss out this Bantha poodoo!” But honestly, what’s cuter than your very own R2-D2 trashcan? Not even a C3-PO coat rack to equal this for sheer geek chic, especially the mini desktop version. If you want it, though, I’d suggest getting it soon… before Jabba the Lucas dubs a dumb voice on to him. “Noooooooo!”

• Get Star Wars R2-D2 Trashcan at ThinkGeek.com

Electronic Firefly in a Jar

No, it’s not a real insect, and no, it’s not Captain Malcolm Reynolds and crew all vacuum sealed for your viewing pleasure in a Candor bottle, but it is faux geek goram glorious none-the-less. I got one of these for an office warming present and everyone asks about it. One of the best gifts in the ‘verse.

• get Electronic Firefly in a Jar at ThinkGeek.com

Stylin Online t-shirts

These are shirts that even Sheldon would love. From comic books to movies and TV shows, there are more fabulous t-shirts here than you could shake a bazinga at!

• Get t-shirts at Styling Online

Gift Certificates

If your special geek truly has everything, there’s still the one thing they can always use more off — MONEY! But since money isn’t that festive, you can “wrap it up” in a handy gift card for their favorite retailer and let them choose their own perfect geek-gift!

• Get iTunes gift certificates
• Get Amazon gift certificates

Your picks?

Remember, you’re part of Team TiPb too, so if you’ve already picked the perfect gift for your iPhone or iPad geek, or have the perfect idea for one, let us know in comments!

It’s Apple’s only sale of the year, not to mention a huge sales day for Best Buy and other retailers, so we’re curious what the TiPb Nation has on their wish lists this year? Anyone shopping for a new iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad? Any cool new accessories you’re hoping to scoop up? Any amazing apps or games you’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on? We’ve got our 2011 holiday gift guides in full swing, but I want to know what you’ve got your eyes on now.

Black Friday sales officially start tomorrow, bookended by Cyber Monday, but a lot of places have started early and are going all weekend long. Let know what you’re shopping for, and if you spot any especially great deals, drop them in the comments!

AT&T still offers the fastest data speeds, with HSPA 14.4. Verizon claims the best network coverage. Sprint is the only major carrier still offering unlimited data to new iPhone owners. C-Spire is the only small carrier to pick up the iPhone 4S to date. T-Mobile… you have to work for it and it’s EDGE only, but that means you must really love them to stick with them!

But now that you have a choice, TiPb Nation, we’d like to know who you chose and why? Was it speed? Was it coverage? Was it data? Was it customer service? And did you switch from a different carrier to get iPhone 4S on your current carrier? As always, vote in the poll up top and give me the details in the comments below!

Here it is, the Native Union Moshi Moshi Retro POP Handset for iPhone! In case it isn’t completely obvious by the video up top or the picture below, the POP is a really cool, really retro receiver that plugs right into the iPhone’s — or any device’s — 3.5 mm headphone jack.

You can not only take and make calls with them at the press of a button, but you can activate Siri and VoiceControl as well, and even listen to music, all while tucking Ma Bell’s classic phone easily under your chin and against your ear. While black has that Matrix-chic about it, the Native Union Moshi Moshi Retro POP Handset for iPhone comes in a ton of of colors, even camo, so you can find just the perfect one for you.

Sure, walking around with a giant receiver on your hip like you’re a gunslinger from the age of telephone’s past might seem a little out of the ordinary, but when has ordinary ever been fun?

I absolutely love the Native Union Moshi Moshi Retro POP Handset for iPhone, and they were kind enough to send over a couple for me to try out, I want to share that love with a giveaway! If you want a POP Phone for iPhone of your very own, just leave a comment below telling me what you like about them. If you get picked, I’ll box up one of the review units and send it your way (it’s still in perfect condition).

So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment already before Agent Smith swings that truck around again!

• Get a Native Union Moshi Moshi Retro POP Handset for iPhone from Amazon.com now!

• Subscribe via iTunes: Video
• Subscribe via RSS: Video
• Download directly: Video

Georgia and Rene go back to the future to discuss the features of the new iPhone 4S and whether or not they make for a compelling upgrade for existing iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS owners. This is TiPb TV!

Background reading

• iPhone 4S buyers guide
• iPhone 4S review

Hosts

• Georgia (@GeorgiaTiPb)
• Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie)

Credits

Special thanks to Barry for the loan of the DeLorean and to Anthony for the camera work. And to the TiPb iPhone 4S Accessory Store for sponsoring the show!

iPad Live, the best frakken iPad podcast in the system, is coming your way tonight, so spin up your FTL’s and get ready to jump, because we’re hitting the ‘net like a Battlestar on Cyclons in 5… 4… 3…

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am GMT.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

This week on iPhone Live we discussed rumors of new Siri functionality coming in iOS 5.1 and what we’d like to see. Seth wanted easy access to settings — “Siri, turn off bluetooth” “Siri, turn on Wi-Fi”. Rene wanted the current services evened out — “Siri, read email” “Siri, send tweet”. I want the ability to launch App Store apps, but what about you?

TiPb Nation, what great new Siri features are you hoping for? Facial detection so you could say “Siri, show me the last two photos of Leanna”? Document integration so you could say “Siri, find me that PowerPoint from Chris”? Nike+ hooks so Siri could say “You have not gotten up off your butt to exercise yet today, no Angry Birds for you!” Or just “Siri, add yourself to iPhone 4 and iPad 2 already!”

Ready, set… Give us your Siri wish list!

Have you gone (or stayed) all in on any one approach? Do you mix and match, for example use iCloud for personal information but still connect to iTunes for big files like movies? If you have a family and are managing iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads for spouses and kids, do you sync them all the same or does it vary? Do your kids games pop up on your work iPhone thanks to automatic downloads, or do their iPods get stale because it’s become too much of a chore to keep everyone updated?

How is sync working for you in iOS 5? Does it “just work” or is it more complicated and confusing now than ever? Vote in the poll up top and let me know the details in the comments!

iPad Live, the best goram iPad podcast in the ‘verse, is coming your way tonight, so clear your schedule and get your snacks ready, because we want to chat with you!

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am BST.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

Apple’s iPhone 4S is now available factory unlocked in the U.S. from Apple.com. Why it took until November when countries like Canada and the UK got unlocked models at launch, who knows? But if you’ve been waiting to go contract and SIM-lock free, now’s your chance! (Reminder: Only the GSM/AT&T version is available unlocked, not the CDMA/Verizon/Sprint version).

Apple has also launched the iPhone 4S in 13 more countries, namely Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania and South Korea.

If you grabbed a new iPhone 4S today, let us know where and which model you got! And if you need more information to help you decide and get up to speed, check out:

iPhone 4S Features

• iPhone 4S review
• iOS 5 for iPhone and iPad walkthrough

iPhone 4S Buyers Guide

• Should you get an iPhone 4S?
• Spec Wars: iPhone 4S vs. Samsung Galaxy S II vs. BlackBerry Bold 9900 vs. HTC Titan vs. Pre3
• iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, or iPhone 3GS: Which should you get?
• AT&T vs. Verizon vs. Sprint: Which iPhone 4S should you choose?
• Verizon and Sprint iPhone 4S and the limitations of CDMA
• 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB: Which iPhone 4S capacity should you get?
• Black or white: Which iPhone 4S color should you choose?
• How to sell your old iPhone before upgrading to the iPhone 4S

iPhone 4 Starters Guide

• iPhone 4S glossary
• How to setup your new iPhone 4S
• How to transfer your data over from your old iPhone to your new iPhone 4S
• How to transfer your data over from your old Android, BlackBerry, webOS or Windows Phone to your new iPhone
• iPhone 4S tips and how-tos
• iPhone Live! podcasts (with video!)

iPhone 4S apps

• iPhone 4S apps
• TiPb Top 5s

iPhone 4S accessories

• TiPb iPhone 4S Accessory Store
• Amazon iPhone 4S Accessories

iPhone 4S help

• iPhone 4S tips and how-to
• iPhone 4S forum

And how’s everything else working for you? Any bugs under 5.0.1 you didn’t have before the update?

• How to fix battery life problems with iOS 5 or iPhone 4S
• Need extra help? Try our iOS 5 Forum!

bamf-hacker in our iPhone 4S Forum wrote up a quick but smart tip on how to use Siri to access Bluetooth and other Setting with only… the power of your voice.

All you need to do is create a contact and in the Web site field put the code for the system preference. for example.

Contact name is Bluetooth and the Web address is prefs:root=General&path=Bluetooth

Then activate Siri and say “Bluetooth” the contact card will open with a clickable link right to the Bluetooth settings.

It’s not the much-sought-after “Siri, turn off Bluetooth” feature we’ve all been hoping for, but it’s better than the nothing we have now.

bamf-hacker has also posted the URL schemes for other popular Settings, so hit the link below and get the details!

Source: bamf-hacker from the TiPb iPhone 4S Forums

Special guests: Steve Sande and Erica Sadun, of Talking to Siri and http://www.tuaw.com fame.

Time: 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 1am GMT!

Place: http://live.tipb.com/live/

(You can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

Look for Mobile Nations in Ustream after 9pm EDT!

If you have any questions or stuff you want us to make sure we cover tweet them to @TiPb, email them to podcast@tipb.com, or leave them in the comments below!

Courtesy of The Early Edition developer Nick Takayama, here’s how to setup a shared Reminders list for shopping, and keep it updated via Siri. Hey, relationships are hard enough, so easy, fun, and geeky ways to reduce the friction are always appreciated.

The Setup

1. Get an iPhone 4S
2. Create iCloud account for you and your significant other (or whomever you want to share the list with)
3. Create an iCloud synced Reminders list called Shopping
4. Go to iCloud.com and, in the Calendar, share that Shopping list with your significant other’s iCloud account

The Use

1. Tell Siri to “add donuts to shopping list” (or add whatever you want on the list!)
2. That’s it!

Adding donuts (or whatever) to your Shopping list automagically shares it to your significant other’s list, and checking it off on your list automagically checks it of on the shared list, and Siri makes it super easy to keep adding more stuff as it occurs to you. Sure there are a bunch of apps for that, but if you want Siri to do it for you, this is how to do it for now.

Source: @ntakayama

Do you have just one main account? Do you have separate accounts, and/or use separate services for work and for personal use? Do you have multiple accounts for a bunch of different stuff? Do you forward most or all of them to the same place? Do you even setup all your email accounts on your iPhone or do you leave some off? Would you recommend what you’re using to a friend, or something else?

How are you handling email on your iPhone? Vote in the poll up top and then give me the details in the comments below!

Apple has just released GarageBand for iPhone and TiPb has just created an iPhone and iPad Music Makers Forum, and in honor of both events — we’re giving away an Apogee Jam! It’s a pocket-sized, plug-and-play music interface that lets you connect your guitar right into your iPhone or iPad (or Mac).

Want one for your very own? All you have to do is jump into the official contest thread in our new iPhone and iPad Music Making Forum and tell us what kind of music, DJ’ing, or jamming you do with your iPhone or iPad. (And I mean details! Rocking out with your guitar, getting the wedding crowds out on the dance floor, making crazy Ramen noodle loops, what?)

Ready, set… Enter now!

Hat tip: Thanks to Jim Dalrymple for the recommendation!

Time: 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 1am GMT!

Place: http://live.tipb.com/live/

Show notes: Follow along with us!

(You can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

Look for Mobile Nations in Ustream after 9pm EDT!

If you have any questions or stuff you want us to make sure we cover tweet them to @TiPb, email them to podcast@tipb.com, or leave them in the comments below!

Well happy Hallowe’en TiPb Nation! And Mobile Nations! Wow, what an awesome response to our No Tricks, Just Treats Halloween Costume Contest! The judges worked long and hard going through the 300+ submissions in the, and they have finally narrowed it down and chosen 15 winners! There were so many incredible entries, from funny to scary with everything in between, and all of them were so creative, it was a really hard contest to judge! We appreciate all the pictures that were submitted, and hope that you all had as much fun entering as we did getting to see everyone.

Watch the video above for all the fun and check out the winners — and some of your favorite, and might I say wonderful — ahem! — Mobile Nations staffers below and in our official Flickr Gallery!

Mobile Nations Halloween Costume Contest Winners!

Scariest costume

Cutest kid/family

Coolest pumpkin

Best couple outfit

Biggest fan of their platform

Most creative use of a phone/tablet

Funniest costume

Hottest costume

Best impersonation of a Mobile Nations writer/editor

Most stylish entry

Thanks again to everyone that participated! If you are one of the winners listed above, CONGRATULATIONS! Watch your email for your Hallowe’en treat from TiPb Mobile Nations.

TiPb’s getting a bunch of reports from people saying they’ve been having problems with their AT&T service today. Network problems are nothing new, and any major carrier will have intermittent problems from time to time and place to place, but the number of reports today are out of the ordinary so we figured we’d ask the TiPb Nation.

Where are you, are you having AT&T problems, and if so, what kind and for how long have you been experiencing them? And… Go!

It lets us more nicely organize those newspaper and magazine apps, and we get to see front page or cover art rather than the app icon, but the apps themselves are still a crapshoot when it comes to quality and design. iBooks are pretty unified — I buy a book and I know how to navigate through it and easily read it, and I know if I put it down on my iPad when I leave home, I can open it up and keep going from the same place when I open it again on my iPhone at work. If I want to read my Trashy Gossip Mag, no such luck.

With Newsstand we sometimes get straight exports from the magazine or newspaper themselves, almost like PDF printouts, ads and all, with little in the way of iOS specific features and nothing that takes advantage of the technology literally at our fingertips. Other times we get more immersive experiences with sound, movies, and easy sharing if we so choose.

And the subscription options are all over the place, but mostly they still don’t match up with traditional options. Why can’t we, universally, buy an issue for the same or cheaper cover price, or subscribe for the same or cheaper yearly option? If I can get one issue of Trashy Gossip Mag for $5 and 12 for $20, shouldn’t we have the same option on iPad?

Should Apple create a proper iNews apps like iBooks with standardized pricing and presentation? Should they go back to just apps, on their own? Or is Newsstand the answer?

Vote in the poll up top and let me know where you stand on everything from pricing to ads to the quality of the content itself in comments!

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 1am GMT.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

Georgia and Rene go all Airwolf vs. Blue Thunder with iHelicopter, the iPhone-controlled remote helicopters. We’re talking terrifying takeoffs, ludicrous landings, and crazy crashes. This is TiPb TV.

Courtesy: iHelicopters – Buy now on Amazon

iHelicopters sent us two helicopters to test out so we immediately thought — dogfight! The helicopters themselves are really cool looking, sleek but with enough exposed electronics to add that ferocious techno feel. They charge over microUSB and once you charge them up and install the free iPhone app, i-helicopter, you’re ready for some fun.

iHelicopters also have LED, so you can light them up and take them out at night. Super sweet. Now the battery doesn’t last super long, but we were pleasantly surprised we managed to film for a couple of hours of admittedly intermittent use without recharging. If you’re constantly flying, don’t count on anywhere near that long, but if you bring your charger with you, you can top up and go again.

You can choose between a touchscreen joystick or accelerometer and gyroscope-based controls. I’m not even going to lie. It will take you a while to get good. It’s not like video game physics. Once these babies get going, they have momentum… even when they’re crashing into the ground.

Now crashing can break things, but the iHelicopters themselves were really resilient. The blades did break once but iHelicopters provides a bag with several replacements for each, which is really appreciated.

Just after we filmed this episode iHelicopter announced a new version — with missiles. Needless to say, they’re on their way to TiPb HQ and Rene’s in a for a surprise…

Maybe you’ve already mastered the basic Siri commands, read our tips on setting up relationships and improving pronunciation, and even joked around a bit and are itching to try out something a little more ninja? Well look no further! You’ve shared with us your favorite secret Siri commands and we’re sharing them back to all our readers.

• [Punctuation/symbols/emoticons]. Siri can understand many basic symbols, emoticons and punctuation marks, as long as you say them by the right name. Examples include “open parenthesis”, “close square bracket”, ” “frowney face” (love it!), “new paragraph”, “pound sign”, etc.
• Play playlist [playlist name]. Siri will play not just a song, but a whole playlist for you.
• Find all email by [contact]. Siri will give you a short list of emails from the contact you ask for.
• What’s on my calendar for [date]. Siri will show you all your appointments for today, tomorrow, next Monday, or February 28 (2012) if you ask nicely.
• Search [Bing/Yahoo]. If Google’s not your cup of tea, Siri will search the competition for you.
• Search [Google/Bing/Yahoo] for [specialized information] [time] [place]. Whether you want the latest scores, show times, etc., if you phrase it just right, Siri can often find it for you.
• Who was in the cast of [movie]: Siri can tell you the name of that actor you know you’ve seen before but just can’t remember.
• Delete all alarms: Siri will delete all alarms, not just individual ones, in case you never want to be woken up again! (I found this by accident on Rene’s phone. Shhhh!)
• Message [Social network] [Status]. If you’ve set it up on Twitter, Facebook, or another social network that lets you update via SMS, Siri will message your status right to it.
• Restart. Siri will re-spring the Springboard. It’s not a full reboot, but it’s faster.

There are some other super-ninja style tips in the links below, like CalDAV accounts so Siri can post to Remember the Milk, or adding URL schemes to get Siri to open apps. Do you have any other secret, advanced Siri commands? Let us know in the comments!

More: CrushApps, TUAW, MacRumors Forums, TechLand

We’re big fans of Pad & Quill so when they offered to give the TiPb Nation the chance to get one of five (5) of their gorgeous Little Black Book cases for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 for FREE, we jumped on it! (Carefully, we didn’t want to risk damaging any of those Baltic Birch and Italian bonded leather beauties!). Like we said in our Little Black Book review:

If you’re an iPhone owner tired of iPad users getting all the moleskin hipster fun, you’re in luck. Pad&Quill have brought both to iPhone with the Little Black Book. From the beautiful binding to the snap of the elastic close to the smell and texture of the materials, it’s just perfectly realized.

And the new version is even better, with a pocket to keep some cards or some cash!

So you want one of your very own? Of course you do! And here’s all you have to do to get it:

1. Head over to Pad & Quill’s Little Black Book page and check out all the details.
2. Jump into the TiPb iPhone 4S Forum and leave us a response on the official contest thread telling us what you like most about the Little Black Book and why you want one.
3. That’s it, you’re entered!

So what are you waiting for? Enter now!

Courtesy: Pad & Quil

If you’re anything like me, now that you’ve had iOS 5 to play around with for a while, you’re probably already starting to wonder what Apple might have in store for us for iOS 5.1? I’m not talking about an iOS 5.0.1 bug fix update, mind you, but about a 5.1 minor feature enhancement. You know, the kind of iOS x.1 we used to get with the new iPod touch in September back when the iPhone came out in June with iOS x.0.

This year iOS 5 only came out in October so I don’t expect iOS 5.1 until January (iPad 3 feels like an iOS 5.2 update.) We haven’t even gotten a beta yet, so it won’t be any time soon at least. But when it does come, what do you want to see in it?

• iPhone OS 3.1](http://www.imore.com/2009/09/09/iphone-31-software-walkthrough/) got non-destructive video trimming, Genius for Apps, and a few other, minor tweaks.
• iPhone OS 2.1 got Genius Playlists and a few other, minor tweaks.
• iPhone OS 1.1 got the iTunes (then Wi-Fi) Music Store

So… Genius for iBooks it is? I hope that’s not all. I hope we get the ability to delete individual pictures from Photo Stream and to disable the fast camera access bypass. Siri getting the ability to launch apps would be sweet as well, as would giving Siri the ability to read more than just SMS/iMessages. Speaking of which, being able to tell iMessage not to send if it’s going to fall back on SMS would be nice when chatting with people in other countries. And I’d still like them to stop kicking us out of the App Store every time we make a purchase…

But we need to be realistic — we won’t get huge things like BiteSMS-style interactive notifications, a Theme Store, or anything else in a x.1 update, but we’ll hopefully get just a few more rough edges shaved off.

What are the top things you want Apple to give you in iOS 5.1?

Brand new to iPhone 4S, heard all about Siri, but wondering how to get started? No problem! Here are the basic things that Siri can do for you, and the example commands to get Siri to do them. Everything has a learning curve and even Apples magical voice activated assistant needs to be spoken to gently in order for her (or him in the UK and France!) to give you what you need.

• Phone: “Call Emtal.”

• FaceTime “FaceTime JMil.”

• Music “Play The XX Intro.”

• Messages: “Tell Michele500, I’ll be right there.” or “Send message to JadeStar”

• Calendar: “Set up a meeting with Chuck Henricki at 9.” 

• Reminders: “Remind me to call Petaf.”

• Maps: “How do I get to Steve Poirier’s?” (Currently US only.)

• Mail: “Email Seth about WWDC.” or “Search email for SockRolid.”

• Weather:“What’s the weather for today?”

• Stocks: “What is Brad’s stock price?”

• Clock: “Wake me up tomorrow at 10 a.m.” or “set a timer for 10 minutes so I can take Kevin’s CrackBerry cobbler out of the oven!”

• Contacts: “What’s Maicols’s address?”

• Notes: “Note that I spent $25 on JBaby knitted capacitive gloves.” or “Search for notes on JJWicks’ funny comments on iPad Live.”

• Safari: “Search the web SeBorSam.”

• WolframAlpha: “Who was in the cast of Sleepy Hollow?”

• Find My Friends : “Find Carolyn”

Bonus Tip “Siri, what can you do?”

While these basic commands are interesting, Siri really shows her power when you start to combine them together. Try out something like, “Remind me to call Rene when I get home.” Siri won’t always be able to do what you want, and it will make mistakes and get things wrong, but once you get the knack of it, you can accomplish some pretty amazing stuff.

Let us know your favorite Siri commands and tips in the comments!

Daily Tips range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to dailytips@tipb.com. (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)

What apps have earned a coveted spot on your main iPhone 4S home screen? Is it still default, just as Apple shipped it? Or have you moved everything around just so, including the dock icons?

Do you organize by function or type of app, or by aesthetics and icon color? Do you allow folders on your home screen or folders in your dock? Do you hide away any built-in apps like Stocks? Do you put your most used apps on the edges or in the center?

Take a screen shot and attach it in our official iPhone 4S home screen forum thread, and let us know why you made the choices you did — we’re always looking for good tips!

Thanks Static_FX for sharing your home screen!

In an ideal world you iCloud mail will show up everywhere, all at once, with perfect push notifications, your calendars would just work, even when shared, and your contacts would all be related so you could tell your special someone you’re running late… again. Your Documents in the Cloud would all be up to date, available at the touch of any app that can edit them, and your iTunes in the Cloud would let you re-download any song or TV show as easily as you always could apps. Your backups and restores would work flawlessly, and your Photo Stream would actually let you delete unwanted pictures. If you had to use Find my iPhone, it would send a locator immediately and you’d never have to wait a day to discover you left it in your other pants pocket. And we’d all have iTunes Match.

In the often more brutal real world, however, you mail might not be pushing, your documents might be disappearing, your songs not all showing up, your Photo Stream causing you grief, and Find my iPhone doing anything but. (Grrrr.)

So you tell us TiPb Nation, what are your experiences with iCloud so far? Is it a game changer or just MobileMe part deux? Vote up top and give me the glorious — or gory! — details in the comments below!

60 minutes has just finished airing their interview with authorized Steve Jobs biographer Walter Isaacson, and has already placed the transcript and both segments as well as the extra Overtime video online.

Check them out after the break (requires Flash) or via the 60 Minutes iPad app [App Store link]

Source: 60 Minutes

Special guest: Jim Dalrymple of The Loop (and the beard, of course!)

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am BST.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

According to our polls, quite a lot of you say your battery life taken a hit with iOS 5, or that your new iPhone 4S battery life simply isn’t up to snuff. Anytime a new software version is released or a new devices comes to market, it seems battery life becomes an issue. Luckily, that also means we’re getting better at troubleshooting it! Here are some things you can try to make sure your iOS 5 or iPhone 4S battery is lasting as long as it should, and some tweaks you can make to get it to last as long as possible.

First: Assess your usage!

Okay, this sounds funny, but make sure you’re not just using your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch more than you used to. Any time we get a new version of iOS, or a new device our tendency is to never put it down. Now, with location based Reminders, Siri, and other power hungry features, we might simply be using our device more than we have in a while.

Before you do any drastic battery life fixes, put your device down and see how fast the battery really is draining.

Fixing Battery Life

If, in general, your battery life is consistently short and you’re basically just watching the indicator drain down before your eyes, here are some things to try, in order of how easy they are to do.

• Restart/reset your device. If you haven’t rebooted in a while, give it a try. There could be a rogue process or something else doing what it shouldn’t be doing, and a restart can often fix that. (Here’s how to reboot](http://www.imore.com/2010/12/17/beginner-tip-power-reset-ios-device-hit-problem/))
• Power cycle. About once a month, and certainly if you’re having problems, you should completely drain your iPhone or iPad’s battery — drain it until it shuts down on its own — and then charge it back up to full.
• Restore your device as new. The single biggest cause of battery life problems with iOS 5 occurs when they are restored from backup and not set up as new devices. Whether it’s cruft or corruption, a clean install as a new device — incredible pain in the butt though it may be — is usually the best fix for any battery life issues. This is the nuclear option. You will have to set up absolutely everything again, and you will lose all your saved data like game levels, but in most cases your battery life will be better than ever. (Here’s how]
• Go to the Apple Store. Sometimes you do get a lemon, or your iPhone or iPad develops a real problem that only Apple can solve by either swapping it for another device or otherwise figuring out a fix.

Saving battery life

Anything running on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad uses up the battery, so we’re going to go into the Settings app and turn some things down, and turn others off altogether. The more you turn off, the longer your batter will last — but of course the less you’ll be able to do. It’s a balancing act but one that can help you squeeze out a little extra juice when you really need it.

• Turn off Siri’s Raise to Speak. Go to Settings, General, Siri. Readers keep telling us this has helped them with battery life due to accelerometer issues.
• Turn of Ping. Go to Settings, General, Restrictions, (Enable Restrictions). Again, readers say this prevents undue push. And who uses Ping anyway?
• Turn off Location Services. Go to Settings, Location Services, and turn off any app you really don’t need tracking or using your location. You can also turn off system settings, and location based time seems popular with our readers as a battery suck.
• Turn off Push Notifications. Likewise, go to Settings, Notifications, and turn off any app you don’t care to be alerted about.
• Turn of Notification Center widgets. Stocks, and particularly weather in Notification Center seem to be causing our readers some battery grief. Since weather can be location-based now, the potential is there for more battery abuse.
• Kill power hungry apps. Double-click the Home Button to activate the multitasking dock, hold your finger on an app to enter “jiggly” mode, and kill any apps that might be running in the background, especially VoIP (like Skype), streaming audio (like Pandora), or navigation (like TomTom). (Here’s how)

Here are some old standbys as well:

• Set Auto-Lock to 1 minute
• Turn off any extra sounds, like keyboard clicks
• Turn off the iPod EQ
• Use headphones instead of the speaker if you have to listen to audio or music
• Turn down the screen brightness
• Turn off Bluetooth when not using it
• Turn off Wi-Fi when not using it
• Turn off 3G when not using it (Not possible on iPhone 4S)
• Set all email, calendar, and contacts accounts to “Fetch” (turn off Push)

Bonus tip: If you’re really desperate, put your iPhone in Airplane Mode and save the radios for when you need them. If you’re really desperate, you can also turn your iPhone completely off until you need it (it will still use a tiny amount of power but far, far less than anything else).

Plug in your device

Like our friend Phil Nickinson from Android Central always says, don’t be ashamed to plug in your device. If you’re using your iPhone or iPad a lot, plug it in to recharge whenever you can. At home, at work, in the car, there are plenty of opportunities to top up your battery.

More help

• iPhone 4S Forum battery troubleshooting thread
• iOS 5 Forum help

So how did these tips work out for you? Give us your feedback, and any other tips for saving iOS 5 or iPhone 4S battery life you might have, in the comments! If anything has worked especially well for you, we’ll add it to the list!

Not content with any of the existing Siri parodies on the web, TiPb contributor George Lim and the guys from TEChBrits decided to have some fun of their own. It’s a shot-for-shot remake of Apple’s own intro video, only… with not so happy results. For them.

There are a couple of adult-ish references, so if you’re super-easily offended, steer clear. Otherwise, enjoy!

Source: YouTube

Wondering how to save video attachments you get in Email to your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad camera roll? In previous versions of iOS, while you could easily tap-and-hold to save pictures in Mail, Safari, Messages and other built-in-apps, trying to do the same with movies — movies mailed or messaged from other iPhones and iPads! — did nothing. (Except frustrate me. Seriously. I almost dented my iPhone trying!)

iOS 5 changes that. Now, just like with pictures, all you have to do to save a video is:

1. Open the email, messages, etc. that you received the movie in
2. Tap on the icon or preview and hold on it
3. When the Save Video button pops up, Tap it!

That’s it. The video will now be saved to your Camera Roll for you to use as you so wish.

For more on iOS 5, check out our massive iOS 5 walkthrough. Have any other great tips for sharing or saving video on your iPhone or iPad? Let us know!

We’ve been so busy with the iOS 5 and iPhone 4S launches that we’ve really slacked off on the Friday Freebies lately — so the TiPb iPhone 4S Accessory Store is going to make it up to you in a big way by giving away a FREE Jawbone ERA headset!

That’s military grade NoiseAssassin 3.0 technology, the same stuff developed for tank commanders and helicopter pilots. So. Cool.

All you have to do to enter is leave one (1) reply on the official contest thread in our iPhone 4S Forums telling us — which manufacturer currently makes your favorite iPhone cases and why? Otterbox, Case-Mate, Seidio, Element, Incipio, Speck? Who?

(And if you don’t have an iPhone 4S, don’t worry. The Jawbon ERA works great with any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or any Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, web OS phone, etc. that supports Bluetooth. It just looks hottest with an iPhone!)

What are you waiting for? Enter now!

(Yeah, those miserable… guys pre-empted our show on Sunday, so tonight we strike back. iPad lovers of the world unite! We’ll be silent no longer! iOS 5 is ours as well, and tonight — it’s our turn!!)

Time: 9pm ET, 6pm PT, 2am BST.

Place: http://www.imore.com/live

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just leave them in the comments then come be part of the show!

(And yes, you can watch from iPhone via Ustream Viewer app (here’s how) — just search for “mobilenations” and iPad (we recommend Duet Browser.)

iCloud is Apple’s new, free don’t-call-it-sync service that stores your stuff up on Apple’s gigantic servers and pushes it down to all your devices. And it works great… but it can be a challenge if you have a family. Now apple has never been great about handling the whole family thing to begin with. Their digital hub has always been fantastic for a single person but started to break down when you wanted to manage a family, especially with multiple accounts. iCloud is no exception.

So what are you doing about it? Are you settling for one iCloud account that just shares everything for every family member, from spouse to child and back again? Are you keeping separate accounts for you and your significant other, but sharing one with your child? Did you use your iTunes account for iCloud, did you transition a MobileMe account, or did you create a new one?

Find my iPhone certainly works better when shared, and it’s cheaper to buy apps on one account than buy them more than once on several accounts, but things like Photo Stream end up being like crossing-the-streams — an explosion of stuff on everyone’s devices that no one particularly wants.

So how are you handling iCloud in your family? Any tips on keeping things economical and productive but still contained and manageable?