We're keeping this one really simple, iMore Nation -- Absinthe 2.0 was released this morning and it lets you untethered jailbreak most iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads running iOS 5.1.1... So are you going to do it?

If you're already jailbroken on iOS 5 (like I am) is there anything that makes it super compelling for you to upgrade to iOS 5.1.1 and re-jailbreak? Any new features you've been lusting after for a while? Any security updates you're really concerned about?

And if you've never jailbroken before, does Absinthe's ease of use tempt you to give it a try? Have you been frustrated by anything you couldn't do in stock iOS that's making you want to pull the trigger on jailbreak?

Vote in the poll above and give me your reasons in the comments below! If you need extra help, head on over to our fabulous jailbreak forums!

I'm still undecided. I'm leaning towards my current jailbreak not being broke, so why fix it? Let me know what you're doing while I decide what I'm going to do...

Do you want Apple to simply add the extra 117 pixels to the display and let developers and apps have their way with it -- wider, bigger, fatter, longer?

Or would you want Apple to keep those extra 117 pixels for iOS 6 and introduce some fancy new widget/notification/gesture space?

Rather than repeat it all here, you can go and read Rene's monumental 4-inch iPhone breakdown, and his phenomenal 16:9 aspect ratio iPhone follow up to see what all the options look like.

Then come back here and vote up top, and tell me why you voted the way you did in the comments!

If you watched the new iPhone 4S commercials that Apple released last night, the ones that feature John Malkovich asking Siri for jokes and about the meaning of life, you might have noticed the way in which he was asking. In short, it was short. David Chartier certainly noticed:

Joke features him speaking a series of one-word commands to Siri that practically feel like verbal equivalents of tapping on a particular app to get a particular piece of information. "Weather." "Evening." "Linguica." "Joke." Apple seems to want to remind us that, underneath the clever responses and artificial personality, Siri is a tool meant to help us get more done with less.

Talking to Siri like it's a Pixar character certainly makes it more endearing, and makes the virtual relationship seem more real. The commercial shows, however, that if you don't have time or simply aren't in the mood for pleasantries, you can get to the point with machine-like brevity.

Unfortunately, for all of Siri's context awareness, it doesn't seem to notice when your communications are rushed and respond in kind. As the commercial also shows, even one short word like "life" can return a paragraph-long reply.

For more tips, check out our latest Siri how-to series, or jump on over to our Siri forum and tell us how you prefer talking to Apple's adorable little digital assistant!

Source: David Chartier

The SuperTooth DISCO is a stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) speaker system for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac and similar devices that promises bigger, better, and more booming sound than the Jawbone JAMBOX. But is the increase in size worth the reduction in portability?

The SuperTooth DISCO is a lot of Bluetooth speaker to love!

Because the iPhone and iPad aren't exactly renowned for the quality of their speakers, many of us have come to rely on external audio devices to give our iOS devices a much-needed kick in the bass (among other things). While there are plenty of options, including AirPlay speakers, it's convenient to have a sound solution that's as mobile as our mobile devices. Something we can use both when we're at home on Wi-Fi and when we're out and about with no Wi-Fi in sight. That makes Bluetooth still a viable, useful option, and that makes something like the SuperTooth DISCO ideal.

And if it's a multitasker -- something you can hook your friend's non-Bluetooth iPod classic or nano up to via good, old-fashioned hardwire, so much the better.

Connect via Bluetooth at home or on the road, or hook up via audio cable if you're old school.

According to SuperTooth, the DISCO features 28 Watt RMS audio power. That includes the internal Subwoofer amplifier power 12 Watt RMS, and the Internal Left and right audio power amplifier: 2 x 8 Watt RMS. The subwoofer speaker uses the Neodyne high efficiency system, and the left and right speakers are full range with parabolic membrane. All of the speakers magnetic shielded

A large, easy to use control wheel decorates the front of the SuperTooth DISCO. It includes a volume knob as well play/pause, skip back/rewind, skip ahead/fast-forward, a bass button, and an on/off/stop button. There's also a Bluetooth connection and battery level indicator.

Around the back is the charging port and charge level indicator, and a 3.5mm stereo line-in connector.

The control wheel is easy to use but cuts out when you're using the line-in input in the back.

The nickel metal hydride battery life for the SuperTooth DISCO is rated at 3-4 hours on high volume and up to 10 hours on medium volume. Stand by time is rated at 1500 hours and charge time at 3 hours.

On the other hand, all of that performance comes at a price -- the size. The SuperTooth DISCO is 2.5 lbs, and 3.5 inches high, 2.75 inches thick, and just over a foot long.

That means those hoping to stash the SuperTooth DISCO in a purse or messenger bag may be disappointed. This is large bag or big backpack only.

Maybe for just that very reason, the SuperTooth DISCO comes with a protective carrying case with openings for the ports and the speaker.

The good

• Excellent sound
• Comes with protective case
• Works with both iOS and non-iOS audio devices

The bad

• Large size may limit portability

The conclusion

The SuperTooth DISCO isn't a Bluetooth speaker I can sneak into my jacket pocket, but it's absolutely what I want when I'm driving around in a jeep, or at home and just want the whole place flooded with music.

With great music comes great size, however, and that's not going to suit everyone. When I want massive music from my tiny iPhone, the SuperTooth DISCO is both big and beautiful.

$118.14 - Buy now

Rather than go over all the options again here, I'll point you to Rene's excellent post on the 4-inch iPhone from a few days ago. Give it a look, then come back here and vote on which 4-inch screen option you'd most like Apple to go with? 2:3 at 960x640 stretched? 2:3 at 1920x1280 stretched? 9:5 at 640 x 1136 taller? 2:3 at 1092x728 bigger? 16:9 at 1280x720 bigger and taller? 3:4 at 1024x768 bigger and taller? Or do you deeply, truly still hope Apple sticks with the 3.5-inch iPhone that brought them to the dance in the first place?

Vote up top and tell me why in the comments!

The release date for when the iPhone 5 comes out is the most frequent question we're being asked these days. That makes sense -- some people might need a new phone and don't want to get the current iPhone 4S if the next generation iPhone 5 (or whatever Apple decides to call it) is right around the corner. Others see competing phones like the Nokia Lumia 900, HTC One X, and Samsung Galaxy S III and want to see Apple's answer sooner rather than later. Still others always want the new stuff now, now, now. The day after Apple releases the iPhone 5, they'll want the iPhone 5S. That's just how it goes.

Past behavior

Apple, of course, hasn't even announced a next generation iPhone yet, much less the release date. If we use past behavior as the best indicator of future behavior, than for the first four years of the iPhone's existence, Apple announced the release dates at their annual World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) and shipped shortly thereafter. The original iPhone shipped on June 29, 2007. The iPhone 3G on July 11, 2008. The iPhone 3GS shipped on June 8, 2009. The iPhone 4 shipped on June 24, 2010.

And then everything changed.

Pattern breaks

First, the Verizon iPhone was launched on February 10, 2011. Then WWDC 2011 came and went without a new iPhone announcement. Last year's iPhone 4S wasn't announced until October, and didn't launch until October 14, 2011.

Many of the readers, listeners, and viewers asking us when the iPhone 5 is coming out are hoping 2011 was an anomaly or outlier, that the Verizon launch somehow causes a momentary blip in time and space, and that this year everything will return to "normal" and we'll somehow get a WWDC 2012 iPhone 5 announcement and June release date again.

The new normal

While it's impossible to rule anything out 100%, a June 2012 iPhone 5 release doesn't seem likely. First, it would be quite early in the product cycle to replace the iPhone 4S. While it took 16 months to go from iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S, reverting to a June release for the iPhone 5 means the iPhone 4S would only enjoy 9 months in the top spot.

Also, all those previous summer iPhone launches were preceded by spring iOS developer events where new versions of iOS were shown off. Last year's fall iPhone release didn't have a special spring developer release. iOS 5 was announced at WWDC 2011.

Likewise, Apple didn't have an iOS 6 developer event last spring either. Unless Apple doesn't plan on releasing a new version of iOS 6 this year, which seems unlikely, that leaves WWDC 2012 as the next venue where it could be introduced. If Apple is only going to show off the iOS 6 beta in June, that leaves little hope that the final version running on the iPhone 5 will be released any time before the fall.

Last year, the iPhone took the place of the iPod as Apple's big holiday release. Apple didn't even announce next generation iPods during their traditional fall event, just paint jobs. It was all iPhone. And given how important the holiday quarter is to Apple, that doesn't seem likely to change.

So when is the iPhone 5 coming out already?

iMore has heard that no new iOS devices will be announced at WWDC and that Apple is currently planning to once again release the next generation iPhone in the fall.

Based on everything we've heard, and everything we've seen so far, October 2012 is when iPhone 5 is coming out.

More information

• iPhone 5 page: Where we collect the latest information
• iPhone 5 Forum: Who cares what we think, tell us what you think!
• The 4 inch iPhone: A look at how Apple could implement a larger screen
• iPhone 5 to be another Google killer -- but with a twist: Why we're liking getting an updated Maps app, among other things.
• iPad mini: The other big rumor for the fall

Over the last week, iMore has put four of the best pro stylus pens in the world head to head to head to head: the Wacom Bamboo, the Adonit Jot Pro, the SGP Kuel H12, and the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro. We've picked our winner.

Now it's time for you to win!

The always awesome iMore Accessory Store is giving away two (2) of each stylus pens to our equally awesome readers! That's eight (8) stylus pens total! Yeah. How can you win one of your very own?

1. Subscribe to iMore's YouTube channel
2. Leave a comment on the video for the stylus pen (or pens) you want most. (Enter for all four if you like!)
   • Adonit Jot Pro stylus review video
   • Wacom Bamboo Stylus review video
   • SGP Kuel H12 stylus review video
   • Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro stylus video
3. And that's it!

We'll pick a couple commenters for each stylus pen video -- check to make sure they've subscribed! -- and then send the winners their prize.

Contest starts now and ends Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 11:59pm PST. Now why are you still reading? Enter already!

Billed as "the first mobile mixer for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, for DJ-ing anytime, everywhere" the iRig MIX is fixing to make music mixing more mobile than ever.

If you're a pro DJ, the iRig MIX claims to have everything you need. That includes a full on EQ adjuster, a crossfader, a headphone cue and a mic input. It works with either one or two iOS devices, and with popular DJ apps so you can record your performances, share them with friends and family, or distribute them to the world.

It's also got an X-Sync feature that lets you mix any form of audio, everything from traditional audio gear to MP3, CD, and more. All with auto tempo matching and beat syncing.

Powerful enough for the pro, accessible enough the for enthusiast, if you're into iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and you want to get your mixing on, check out the iRig MIX. Complete press release and video below.

Source: iRigMix.com

IK Multimedia iRig MIX Now Shipping

The first mobile mixer for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, for DJ-ing anytime, everywhere

May 2012 – IK Multimedia is proud to announce that iRig™ MIX, the first ultra-compact DJ and audio mixer for the iPad, iPhone, and the iPod touch is now shipping. When used with an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, IK’s included* DJ Rig FREE app and other DJ apps, it is a complete, highly portable DJ system for practicing, rehearsing, performing and recording.

With its unique miniaturized form factor and exclusive features, designed to be used with the entire range of portable iOS devices, iRig MIX brings a new meaning to the concept of mobile DJ-ing.

A DJ Mixer

iRig MIX has everything a pro DJ needs, including full EQ adjustment, crossfader, headphone cue and a mic input. Using DJ Rig or other popular DJ apps, users can record their performance and share with friends, publish or distribute at the event. DJs can choose either a traditional setup with two devices (one plugged into each of the independent channels) OR a single iOS device.

This flexibility, combined with iRig MIX’s portability gives aspiring and pro DJs a compact system that can be used everywhere… anytime. House parties or in the yard, after-parties, and impromptu dances are perfect environments for the iRig MIX. Planes, trains and automobiles used to mean that your DJ gear was inaccessible and unusable. Now, no matter where you are or where you are going, you can mix and rehearse sets.

Plus - for the first time on any mixer - iRig MIX can be used for mixing any type of audio source (coming from mp3 players, CD players, etc.) with an iOS device using automatic tempo matching and beat syncing. This is accomplished with X-Sync, a feature that works in combination with the DJ Rig FREE app from IK Multimedia that is included* with iRig MIX.

Maximum Portability

With its slim, lightweight form factor iRig MIX is considerably smaller than traditional DJ mixers and can be carried anywhere you take your iPhone or iPad, is easy to stow and perfect for performers on the go. The iRig MIX also has minimal power requirements allowing it to be powered not only by the included power supply but also by a suitable USB battery pack or a laptop USB port for maximum mobility to mix anywhere.

Not just for DJs

iRig MIX is also versatile enough to provide the perfect mixing solution for solo musicians or small ensembles that use one or more iOS devices to play live. It features an extra guitar/microphone input that can be processed with other IK popular apps like AmpliTube® and VocaLive™ or any other app that offers real-time audio processing. Its standard RCA output connectors provide easy, direct connection to PA systems or powered speakers.

4 included apps

iRig MIX includes* 4 free apps: DJ Rig™, the new professional DJ mixing app from IK, AmpliTube, the most popular iOS guitar amp and effects app, VocaLive the processing app for singers and vocalists, and GrooveMaker®, the loop-based beat and groove making app.

iRig MIX features

• 2 stereo inputs with gain, bass, treble and volume controls, independent cue on each channel with LED indication and channel crossfader
• Instrument/microphone extra input, with volume control, can be processed by iOS real-time effects apps (such as AmpliTube, VocaLive)
• Stereo output with RCA connectors, master level and LED meters
• High quality, pristine sound
• Quality headphone output for master or cue monitoring with independent volume control
• Input switch splits Input 1 into dual-mono for use with DJ mixing apps on a single iOS device
• “X-Sync” mode allows auto-sync with any audio source using the included DJ Rig free app
• Can be powered with the included AC adapter, battery pack and laptop USB ports
• Includes 4 free apps: DJ Rig, AmpliTube, VocaLive, GrooveMaker

Pricing and availability

iRig MIX costs $99.99/€74.99 (excluding taxes) and is available from electronic and music retailers around the world.

If you use Apple's Mail app, do you set up Gmail as Gmail, which is the obvious way to do it, given the giant logo label? It uses IMAP so it isn't push, but does that really matter to you? Or do you set up Gmail as Exchange ActiveSync (Google Sync) in Apple Mail instead? Does the combination of push as well as Contacts sync win you over?

What about those of you for whom Apple Mail just isn't the right solution? Do you use the Gmail.com website? It has the advantage of fast access to your mail and local storage, but because it's locked in Safari you don't get to do attachments or access your iOS Contacts, and you don't get push notifications. Do you use the Gmail app, so you can add attachments and access your Contacts? Or is the lack of background email processing just too annoying for you?

If neither Apple nor Google's apps are good enough for you, is Sparrow your go to Gmail app? It has a great interface, but like any App Store app it can't keep an internet connection open in the background, so you can't download email as it comes in -- you have to wait until you launch the app. It doesn't have push notifications yet either, and when they come, they'll require a subscription. Is it worth it?

Or do you not use Gmail at all? And if not, why not?

Give me your vote in the poll up top and your reasons why in the comments below. Here's the question again: How do you use Gmail on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad?

iMore compares pro-level iPad stylus pens -- Pogo, Kuel, Jot, and Bamboo -- and tells you which one is best, and which one is best for you

Apple might have said "yuk!" to stylus pens but users are saying "yes!" in ever greater number. Apple might have had a point, back in the days before iPhones and iPads, when pointy old resistive stylus pens had to be used just to get outdated touch screens and inscrutable interfaces to work. But now there's a new generation of stylus pens for the new generation of capacitive touch screens. These stylus pens don't have to be used -- we want to use them. We want to use them for speed and accuracy, for comfort and creativity. We want to use them for take hand-written notes, to draw and paint, and to game. We want to use them to such an extent that, for many users, it's no longer a question of whether we should use a stylus pen -- but which one?

To answer that questions, iMore took a look at four of the most popular, high end stylus pens on the market -- The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro, the SGP Kuel H12, the Adonit Jot Pro, and the Wacom Bamboo. We took a look at the build quality, durability, and capacitive performance of each one, and we tested them using Noteshelf and Penultimate, Procreate and Paper by 53, and Zuma's Revenge and Words with Friends.

And here's what we found...

iPad stylus hardware comparison

How a stylus feels and how it holds up is as important as how it works. If its not comfortable in the hand for long periods of time, you won't keep using it. If it doesn't hold up to heavy use, you won't be able to keep using it. Now the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro, the SGP Kuel H12, the Adonit Jot Pro, and the Wacom Bamboo are all pretty much pro-level stylus pens, which implies better quality, and longer lasting materials. But how do they compare?

Wacom Bamboo stylus

The Wacom Bamboo stylus looks like a standard, straight-barrel pen with feed. It has a milled aluminum body with a satin-textured finish, and comes in black, white, blue, green, pink, and orange. The tip is completely soft to the point of being mushy, and it's the shortest of the stylus pens we tested.

We found the Wacom Bamboo to be the least comfortable of the group. The short length and the sharp feed made for a bad combination. The completely mushy tip was also a disappointment, as it provides almost no push-back without excessive pressure.

Because it's soft and oh, so mushy, there could be some concern about durability. We didn't have any problems at all, however.

• Wacom Bamboo Stylus for iPad review

Adonit Jot Pro stylus

The Adonit Jot Pro feels like a mechanical pencil or drafting pen, complete with a thin, hard metal tip... topped with a round plastic disk. There's a screw cap to protect the tip, and the The body is aluminum and steel, and will stick to the magnets around an iPad 2 or new iPad display. There's a rubber black grip area, and the metal section comes in black, silver, red, or blue.

Immediately familiar to anyone who's done technical drawing or drafting, the Adonit Jot Pro may take some getting used to for everyone else. The hard tip provides immediate pressure feedback but isn't quite as smooth as the other stylus pens. The disk provides excellent visibility for detailed line work, but doesn't feel natural for softer applications, like brushwork. It's also noisy when tapping or swiping, which can be distracting in a quiet setting.

Also, if the disc becomes damaged, the hard tip can cause scratches. As long as you pay attention, however, you can get replacement tips and avoid any problems.

• Adonit Jot Pro stylus for iPad review

SGP Kuel H12 stylus

The SGP Kuel H12 is built like a premium, high-end pen, complete with an elegant feed and a gently curved body and a tip that extends from the body with a twist. The silicon coated, high polymer tip is soft but it has a rigid insert roughly 2/3 of the way down. It comes in black, white, and silver.

Anyone who enjoys a good pen will enjoy using the SGP Kuel H12. From the weight to the material, it just feels right. The tip is soft but not as bad as the Bamboo, and quite smooth. While the width of the body can obscure the screen at times, overall it's very comfortable.

Some people have reported problems with the thinness of the tip, but ours has held up well. Just make sure you twist the pen to withdraw the cap if you intend to put it in a bag, pocket or purse. If you do have a problem with it, there's no way to replace just the tip.

• SGP Kuel H12 stylus for iPad review

Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro stylus

The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro eschews the standard pen shape for a long, tapered, forward weighted design. It has a solid aluminum unibody with a black, ergonomic grip. The tip is soft but becomes rigid about 1/3 of the way in. It has small holes punctured in it which Ten One claims increases capacitive performance. It comes in any color you want as long as that color is silver.

While the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro doesn't look or feel like a traditional pen, it's still very comfortable to use. The front weighting means you can let gravity do some of the work for you, and even though the tip is soft, only the topmost part has any give. That makes for excellent performance.

Because of the perforations, the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro might be subject to wear and tear, but our review units have been fine even under heavy use. You can also buy replacements tips, should you experience any problems.

• Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro stylus for iPad review

The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro, the SGP Kuel H12, the Adonit Jot Pro, and the Wacom Bamboo are all well constructed and they all use high quality materials. The Wacom Bamboo is the least comfortable based simply on the short length and sharpness of the feed. The Adonit Jot Pro will appeal most to technical writers and artists. The SGP Kuel H12 is fantastic, especially if you like the feel of a real pen. My personal favorite is the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro. Then length and curve make it decidedly un-pen like, but also extremely comfortable. Replacement tips is icing on the cake.

Four way tie, with a slight edge to Adonit Jot Pro and Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro for the replaceable tips.

Note-taking stylus comparison

If you're looking for a stylus for long form note-taking, look no further than the SGP Kuel H12

One of the primary uses for stylus pens on the iPad is note-taking. Whether it's simply to scribble down a few words or diagrams, or to write out long form text, a good note-taking stylus has to be comfortable and smooth, and well suited to both print and script.

The Wacom Bamboo is okay for note-taking. The completely soft tip doesn't provide the best feeling, and the capacitive performance isn't the best of the stylus pens we tested, but once you start writing script, you can keep it flowing. Print is a little more hit or miss.

The Adonit Jot Pro is good for very precise, very technical writing. The slightly rougher feel of the disk isn't the best for script, but if you're doing something very detailed or specific the accuracy could make up for it. However, and the hard metal tip creates a tapping sound when writing short strokes or block letters.

The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Plus is excellent for note taking and is my personal favorite for quick note taking. The front weighting combined with the high level of capacitive performance makes it easy to start writing, and the smooth tip combined with the more solid base means it's easy to keep going. The extra length also allows for a little calligraphic flair, if you so choose.

The SGP Kuel H12 is Mobile Nations' favorite stylus pen for long form note taking. The solid, real pen feel makes it incredibly comfortable to use and the quality of the tip make note taking a breeze. If you want to write a short book with your stylus, the Kuel H12 is the one to consider.

With the caveat that the Adonit Jot Pro might better please precision note-takers, and the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro those who want a little more calligraphic flare, the SGP Kuel H12 wins the note-taking crown.

Art and drawing stylus comparison

The Wacom Bamboo is once again just okay for art and drawing. The short length and the mushy tip give less range and require more pressure to get solid feedback, which hurts the overall experience. Once you get a line going, it's fine, but putting paint on a page takes more effort than it ought to.

The SGP Kuel H12 is better for art and drawing. Its slightly longer and more curved, so it feels better, and the tip requires slightly less pressure than the Bamboo to get a good capacitive connection going. It works well for both line work and for brush work.

The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Plus, by virtue of its long length, allows for really good lines and brush strokes. Again, the weighted top and the rigidity beneath the tip means it does a lot of the work for you, and it works well at almost any angle. For painting type applications, it's the best stylus we tested.

The Adonit Jot Pro simply excels at line work. Anyone who's ever done technical drawing, drafting, penciling, or inking work will feel instantly at home. The clear plastic disk at the tip lets you easily see exactly where you're working, and the Jot SDK means apps like Procreate can be especially tuned to work brilliantly with the Jot Pro. For anything detailed, the Jot Pro is best in class.

Both the SGP Kuel H12 and Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Plus are great general purpose stylus pens to use for art, and of the ones we tested, were the best for brush work as well. When it comes to any kind of line work, however, the specificity of the Adonit Jot Pro can't be beat.

Gaming stylus comparison

The Adonit Jot Pro remains accurate thanks to its plastic disk, but that same hard disk can be very annoying when tap, tap, tapping away on your iPad during games like Zuma. For Draw Something it wasn't bad, but not as good as the soft tipped stylus pens for so casual a use.

The Wacom Bamboo finishes its streak as the most consistently okay but not great stylus we tested. For gaming, the mushy tip resulted in lower registry of capacitive contact than any of its competitors. The short body was also the least dynamic and least comfortable when used for extended gaming, though the soft tip was nicely quiet.

The SGP Kuel H12 was good for gaming, though the thickness of the body obscured more of the screen than I'd have liked. It had the second best capacitive registration average, however, and was easily comfortable enough to use for even long -- long -- gaming sessions.

The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Plus was excellent for gaming. Out of all the stylus pens we gamed with, it had the highest accuracy and reliability, almost always hitting what I wanted and causing the iPad's capacitive touch sensors to register that hit successfully. The long length made reaching all areas of the screen quick, and the ergonomic design remained comfortable from beginning to end. This is my go-to gaming stylus.

While the SGP Kuel H12 put up a valiant fight, the Ten One Design's combination of forward weighting, excellent range, and awesome accuracy gave it the winning score.

Cost

The Wacom Bamboo performed the least well in our tests, yet costs the most at $29.95. Conversely, the SGP Kuel H12 was one of the best, yet only costs $19.95. The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Plus and Adonit Jot Pro are in between.

Prices can vary a lot in the accessory market, and you can find sales that radically change the equation, but in general terms and unless you need something very specific, the SGP Kuel H12 is the best bang for your stylus pen buck.

Conclusion

Based on our results, and though several iMore staffers like it quite a bit, the Wacom Bamboo just doesn't match up to the other pro-level stylus pens on the market, and costs the most as well. Not a good combination.

If you're detail oriented and primarily do a lot of technical writing and drawing, the Adonit Jot Pro the best stylus for you. While it's not great at gaming, it'll do in a pinch, and note-taking works well enough when you get use to it. When our Editor-in-Chief wants to draw, he draws with the Jot Pro.

The SGP Kuel H12 is great, all around stylus pen. If a traditional pen look and feel is what you want, and long form note-taking is what you need, the Kuel H12 is the one to get. It's also a Mobile Nations favorite.

My favorite stylus of the four is the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro. It doesn't feel like a traditional pen, but it consistently produced the best results for me in general, and was the best stylus pen we tested when it came to gaming.

So this is how it plays out -- the Adonit Jot Pro is very good but is more of a specialist tool. You'll know if it's best for you. It then comes down to the SGP Kuel H12 and the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro. The Kuel H12 is cheaper, but the Pogo Sketch Pro has replaceable tips. The Kuel H12 feels more like a premium pen but the non-traditional design of the Pogo Sketch Pro has several advantages. Since they both perform so well yet look so different, you can probably tell at a glance which one you prefer. Many here at Mobile Nations love the Kuel H12. But at the end of the day, due to its excellent design and superior overall performance, the winner of our shootout is...

The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro.

$29.95 - Buy the Wacom Bamboo now

$27.95 - Buy the Adonit Jot Pro now

$19.95 - Buy the SGP Kuel H12 now

$24.95 - Buy Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro

But there are still some reasons people may not want to update. At least not yet. Some may be waiting to see how battery life and performance work out (it's fine, according to our readers). This is especially true for users of older devices like the iPhone 3GS.

Others might be jailbroken and be waiting on an iOS 5.1.1 untethered jailbreak before they update. If you rely on certain jailbreak features, there's no reason to lose them just for a minor bug fix or performance fix update, especially if you've been waiting on an iOS 5.1.x untethered jailbreak for your device for months already.

Still others might simply not see any compelling reason to update to iOS 5.1.1. If your device is working fine, if security patches aren't a big deal to your, and since there are no new features to be had, it may not seem worth even the small amount of effort OTA takes.

I've updated my iPad but not my iPhone. My iPhone is jailbroken so I won't be updating any time soon. Even if I wasn't jailbroken, I probably wouldn't update until Apple released a new feature I really wanted. I rely on my phone for my work, and its working, and I won't mess with a stable environment if I don't have to.

How about you? Have you updated to iOS 5.1.1 yet? If you have more than one iOS device, have you updated all of them? If you haven't updated yet, why not? Vote in the poll up top and give me all the details in the comments below!

If you remember painstakingly constructing 3D models using points, polygons, and splines back in the days of the Video Toaster, then the Arqball Spin is bound to bring a smile to your face -- because it lets you quickly make a 3D visualization with nothin g but your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

The Arqball Spin app has been available on the App Store for a while, but now they're upping their game -- and the quality of their scans -- with the Acqball Spin stage. And they've turned to Kickstarter to fund it.

• The hull is CNC lathed from 6063 aluminum and powder-coated in the color of your choice—red, white, or black.

• Our stages are rugged and portable (powered by batteries) and possess a beautifully simple design inspired by Arne Jacobson's "salad bowl."

• 5" diameter and 3" tall and powered by 6 AA batteries, the stage can comfortably rotate up to 5 lbs (2.2 kg).

You can grab the free iPhone and iPad app if you want to try it out now, but if the idea of a higher quality 3D visualization makes your inner artist happy, head on over to Kickstart and make with the backing!

Free - Download now

Source: Kickstarter

The Ten One Design Pogo SketchPro stylus is a fantastic all-around style, with all around best in-class performance

Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro, part of the Pogo Sketch line up of stylus pens, is one of the best we've had the pleasure use with the iPad. It's not as cheap or as specialized as some of the competition, however, so does the quality make up for it?

Rather than a traditional pen, the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro is longer and more tapered, yet still comfortable.

Unlike some other iPad stylus pens, the Pogo Sketch Pro doesn't look like a traditional pen. It's longer and far more tapered than most. It's got a solid aluminum unibody and an excellent ergonomic grip. This puts the weighting far more forward than most other stylus pens, and that's a good thing. It lets the weight of the tool do a lot of the work for you.

The tip is special designed and patent pending. While it's a soft Ten One claims this makes the Sketch Pro effective at every angle, and the "most sensitive on the market". Our tests showed the Pogo Sketch Pro had excellent capacitance, and all-around the best we've tried to date. To achieve this level of performance, the tip has holes in it. That does raise some concerns over wear and tear, but you can buy replacement tips from Pogo. Unlike some of the other soft tip stylus pens we tested, the Pogo Pro tip doesn't have a lot of give, so you don't have to push as hard before you get solid feedback.

The unique Pogo Sketch Pro tip provides excellent capacitive performance over a wide range of angles thanks to its unique tip design.

The Pogo Sketch Pro is available in any color you want, provided that color is black and silver. This matches a lot of the Apple aesthetic, especially if you have a black iPhone or iPad, but it's limited compared to other pro-level stylus pens.

For note-taking, the Pogo Sketch Pro is very good. We had no problem writing long form notes. If you're used to a more standard pen shape, you might not like the Pogo Sketch Pro feel as much, but the results are top notch. For art tasks, it's okay. It's not as good as a hard-tipped stylus for line work, or a softer tip for brush work, but the sensitivity makes it good enough for both. For gaming it's great, and the accuracy really pays off. Out of all the pro stylus pens we tried, the Pogo Sketch Pro is our favorite for gaming.

The Pogo Sketch Pro is an excellent all around stylus but is especially good for gaming.

The good

• Excellent sensitivity
• Good ergonomics
• Great gaming stylus
• Replaceable tips

The bad

• Okay but not excellent for art

The conclusion

The Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Pro stylus is simply one of the best iPad stylus pens on the market. While it doesn't feel like a traditional pen the way the less expensive SGP Kuel H12 does, its long, tapered design is really comfortable. We absolutely love it for gaming, and it holds its own in note-taking. For art it's more than serviceable, but for dedicated line work you're still better off with the Adonit Jot Pro. For general use, however, the Pogo Sketch Pro is absolutely one of the best.

$24.95 - Buy now

Help Mobile Nations help you! Yes, the network behind iMore -- and all your favorite smartphone and tablet communities -- wants to get a little more insight into your phone buying habits. When the iPhone 5 hits this fall, will you be pre-ordering online or lining up at an Apple Store? Will you be getting it on-contract, or buying officially unlocked? (And if you're planning on buying something other than an iPhone, we'd love to know how you're planning on buying that too!

The survey will only take you two minutes or less, and we really appreciate your time. Thanks!

Take the Survey now!

SGP Kuel H12 stylus for iPad is one of the best all-around stylus pens on the market and is especially good for long form note-taking

The SGP Kuel H12 takes all the elements of a classic capacitive stylus and knocks each and every one of them out of the park when it comes to build quality and usability. And it has a lower price than it's pro-level competition. So what's the catch?

A classic stylus in every sense of the word. the SGP Kuel H12 is made with a plated brass body and a silicon coated, high polymer tip designed to almost float across the surface of your iPad. From weight to curves, it feels like a high-quality pen, and even twists to retract and protect its capacitive tip.

The SGP Kuel H12 stylus feels like a premium pen, yet is less expensive than it's competition.

Available in black, white, and sliver, the SGP Kuel H12 stylus doesn't have any special rubberized grip area, but the combination of its shape and its size make it comfortable to use, even for extended periods. While the tip is soft, it doesn't collapse in all the way like some other styli do, which makes it a little easier to use under pressure. It's also fairly sensitive, so touch input registers quickly and overall accuracy is good as well. While some users have complained the material of the tip wears out too quickly, we haven't had any problems with our review units.

When it comes to hand-written note-taking, the SGP Kuel H12 is Mobile Nations' favorite stylus. The folks back at headquarters have a special fondness for styli and have tested them extensively and when they want to write serious notes, for long periods of time, they reach for the H12.

If you're looking for a stylus for long form note-taking, look no further than the SGP Kuel H12

When it comes to gaming, the smooth tip of the SGP Kuel H12 reduces tapping noise considerably, but the overall design can sometimes cover too much of the screen. For art, it's okay for line work but not as good as a hard-tipped stylus. However, it's much better for brush work and other, softer paint-like applications.

The good

• Excellent for long-form note-taking
• Feels like a premium pen
• Incredibly good value for the price

The bad

• Good but not great for gaming or art

The conclusion

The SGP Kuel H12 is one of the best stylus on the market for note-taking, and is an excellent all around stylus. It looks and feels like a high quality, premium pen. It's not as great for drawing as the Adonit Jot Pro, and not quite a sensitive as the Pogo Sketch Pro, but given it's low price point and exceptional quality, it's the best bang for your stylus buck.

$19.95 - Buy now

iMORE NATION ASSEMBLE! The best iOS podcast in the nine worlds returns tonight to talk all the latest iPhone and iPad news, how-tos, and app and accessory reviews. Join us. Or GEORGIA SMASH!

Want to go full screen? Head to iMore.com/live. Want to watch via iPhone or iPad? Grab the Ustream app and search for "mobilenations"!

iOS 5, the iPhone 4S and the new iPad have gotten even more heat -- no pun intended -- about battery life than previous versions of iOS and previous iOS devices. Does iOS 5.1.1 set everything right?

If you're using an older device, like the original iPad or the iPhone 3GS, was there any noticeable improvement in overall performance?

Vote in the poll up top and give the details in the comments below, and please include which device you're using, whether you did an OTA or iTunes install, and if you've had problems previously. If you're still experiencing battery life or performance issues, here's some help:

• How to fix battery life problems with iOS 5
• iPhone 4S battery life help and trouble shooting
• New iPad battery life help and troubles shooting

The Adonit Jot Pro stylus for iPad is best in class when it comes to high precision, detailed writing and line work

The Adonit Jot Pro is not your regular iPad or iPhone stylus. Instead of a round, mushy finger-sized capacitive tip, it has a very thin, very hard tip like a mechanical pencil, with a large, round, transparent capacitive disk on the end. It's odd looking and odd feeling at first, especially compared to other pro-level capacitive styli on the market. But does it hold up?

More of a specialty stylus than a general purpose pen, the Adonit Jot Pro is best in class when it comes to certain, specific applications, namely fine, detailed line work, but falls behind the likes of SGP, Ten One Design, and Wacom in others for brush work or other staccato applications.

More than any other stylus, the Jot Pro resembles a traditional mechanical pencil or fine tipped pen. With a disk on top.

The Adonit Jot Pro looks the most like a traditional, fine tipped pen (except for the disk at the end, of course). It's got a nicely weighted aluminum and steel body that comes in metallic black, silver, red, or blue, and a slightly curved, black rubber grip that's comfortable even for extended use. The body is magnetized so it can stick to the new iPad and iPad 2, and it has a cap to protect the metal tip and plastic disk from damage when it's being carried around.

It's the tip that makes the Adonit Jot Pro really stand out, and it's a decidedly mixed blessing. For precise, detail oriented drawing, drafting, and other forms of line work, it's absolutely best in class. It feels like the right tool for the right job because it feels like the tools traditional artist have been using for those jobs all along. The plastic disk makes it easier to see through than the fatter, rounded nib found in other popular styli, so you can be more accurate with placement. Because it's not mushy like a silicone tip, it doesn't require a lot of pressure to register. Those are all huge advantages for the Jot Pro.

The Adonit Jot Pro includes a cap to protect the tip and is magnetic so it can stick to the new iPad and iPad 2.

But all of that comes with a price. First, the disk is a slightly "scratchier" feel too it when you drag it along the iPad or iPhone display. That takes some getting used to. It's simply not as smooth as a silicone tipped stylus. You might even hate it at first, but chances are it will grow on you if you give it time. Second, it's noisy. While soft tips cushion the sound, the Adonit Jot Pro's hard tip does not. So if you're doing a lot of small actions, you're literally tapping out a drum beat. If you're in a quiet area, that really stands out. Third, the same precision that works so well for line drawing doesn't feel as good for brushwork in painting apps.

The same holds true for note-taking. For those who want incredibly precise script, the Adonit Jot Pro works really, really well. For sticklers who want the most detailed strokes imaginable, the Jot Pro will be perfect. For those who want to just scrawl down a few block letters, you're getting more tapping noise than smooth movement.

While the Jot Pro's hard metal tip works great for line work, it creates an annoying tapping sound when used for gaming.

Interestingly, Adonit had released an SDK (Software Developer Kit) so app developers can make their apps work better with the Jot Pro. For example, the excellent drawing app, Procreate, uses the Adonit SDK. That means, theoretically, Procreate will work better with the Jot than another app, like Paper would. We found the Jot to be excellent for line work in both Procreate and Paper, however, so the Jot-optimized apps should be looked at as more of a bonus -- a good thing working even better.

The good

• Unique tip design is excellent for detailed line work or writing
• Transparent disk allows for exceptional accuracy

The bad

• Tapping sound is noticeable in quiet areas
• Not as good for brush work

The conclusion

The Adonit Jot Pro is the best stylus you can get for illustration and precision lines. If you want to produce highly detailed, draft-quality work, the Jot Pro is for you. If you want to game, take lots of short notes, or paint, it's not going to be a great choice for you. That's the price of being unique and excelling at one thing rather than trying to be good enough at everything. If you want a more general purpose stylus, look at the SGP Kuel H12 or Pogo Sketch Pro. If you want precision penmanship, get the Jot Pro.

$27.95 - Buy now

The Wacom Bamboo is a popular pen stylus for iPad and iPhone. It's a longtime favorite of several of iMore's editors and contributors, and comes from one of the most trusted names in digital pen technology. However, the Wacom Bamboo is facing intense competition from several other pro-level capacitive stylus companies. How does it stack up?

The Wacom Bamboo isn't the most sensitive, comfortable, or stylish stylus we tested, but it is durable.

Decidedly middle of the road. The Wacom Bamboo isn't a bad stylus for the iPad or iPhone, but it isn't a great one either, at least not when compared to the higher-end offerings from SGP, Adonit, and Ten One Design.

In terms of style, the Wacom Bamboo looks like a typical pen, complete with feed and straight barrel. It's got a satin-textured and milled aluminum body and comes in a wide range of color options, including black, white, blue, green, pink and orange. You can also get a Duo version that has a real ink pen on the opposite end.

The Wacom Bamboo is well put together and feels like it's built to last. Even the capacitive tip, which on some pens can tear or wear down, holds up remarkably well to extended use.

The Wacom Bamboo is well built and good looking, but isn't inspiring.

Where the Wacom Bamboo suffers a little is comfort during extended use. While some people love straight barrel pens, we prefer more rounded, more ergonomic curves. The Wacom Bamboo is also shot by pro-level stylus standards, and that combined with the sharpness of the feed made it harder to get into a comfortable position and more likely to become uncomfortable over time.

Where the Wacom Bamboo suffers a lot is in its capacitive quality. In our tests it worked okay but not great across the board. The tip was the mushiest we've used and that meant we had to push more, longer before it would start to register. Once it did register, it moved well across the glass, but any time we lifted it we had to go through that sinking, mushy tip push again.

For script writing this wasn't a huge issue because the pen tip remains in contact for extended periods. For print writing, where the pen tip leaves the iPad screen more often, it was considerably more annoying. That was even more true for standard navigation and gaming, where each and every tap and swipe required pushing just a little too much to get it to sink in and register. For drawing apps it was the same story again -- okay but not great performance and too much pressure required any time the tip had to be re-introduced to the iPad screen.

While the Wacom Bamboo's tip moves smoothly, it's too mushy for serious work and the short length may be a deal breaker for some users.

The good

• Large amount of color choices
• Durable

The bad

• Capacitive tip is too mushy
• Pen design is too short and straight, feed is too sharp

The conclusion

The current Wacom Bamboo stylus for iPad and iPhone is serviceable but not inspired. In every way we measured, with the exception of shortness, the Wacom Bamboo has been eclipsed by more comfortable, more capacitive, and generally better performing competitors. If you simply want an okay general purpose stylus to keep with your for occasional hand-writing note-taking, drawing or otherwise creating art, or simply playing games, and you have to have it without any hint of a curve to its barrel, the Wacom Bamboo is a serviceable choice. Otherwise check out the other options first and make sure you don't like something by SGP, Adonit, or Ten One Design better.

$29.95 - Buy now

The iPhone made capacitive multitouch, gesture-based technology mainstream. These days, we never think twice about tapping, swiping, pinching, twisting, or otherwise manipulating the digital content on our devices. But only on our digital devices. Imagine a future where capacitive multitouch wasn't limited to screens but could be implemented on all sorts of everyday objects, from doorknobs to tables to liquids, to the human body itself. Well, Disney Research isn't just imagining it, they're engineering it today with something they call Touché. Here's how they describe it:

Touché proposes a novel Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing technique that can not only detect a touch event, but also recognize complex configurations of the human hands and body. Such contextual information significantly enhances touch interaction in a broad range of applications, from conventional touchscreens to unique contexts and materials. For example, in our explorations we add touch and gesture sensitivity to the human body and liquids. We demonstrate the rich capabilities of Touché with five example setups from different application domains and conduct experimental studies that show gesture classification accuracies of 99% are achievable with our technology.

While I'm not sure turning a kid's cereal bowl into a game show is the best approach, I can easily imagine controlling bathtub or hot tub by hand gestures. Likewise, a home security system that not only required a code, but that it also be held in a certain way to open. A coffee machine that could be started with the swipe of a table. And like they show in the video, a phone that never has to leave our pockets because we can tap right on our own hands or arms (and talk via Siri).

Apple has patents on bezel and surface gestures, so it's obviously something they've been thinking about as well. Using non-screen gestures as modifiers for screen gestures could unlock a lot of potential functionality. It could also give whole new meanings to "you're holding it wrong"...

It will be interesting to see not only when, but where capacitive multitouch gestures turn up next. Entertainment is typically the industry that can afford to mass produce technology first (just look at the Xbox Kinect). Microsoft has long said the future will have screens everywhere. Capacitive multitouch gestures on common objects means the future may also not need screens almost anywhere as well.

Where would you next like to see technology like Disney's Touché imagineered into your life?

Okay, this one got me right in my geek heart. An iPhone case with Han Solo on the back. Frozen in carbonite. Just like in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. I can't really do a proper review of this iPhone case. At least the case part. Don't get me wrong, it's serviceable enough -- a slim, well fashioned black skin case. But it's nothing more than that. And why should it be? This case is all about Solo.

High resolution, photo-realistic printing makes carbonite Han Solo almost look 3D (he's not)

The high resolution Han Solo pictures dominates the Han Solo Groovin in Carbonite - Star Wars Parody Case for iPhone. It's photo-realistic and it looks great. It looks so good, in fact, you might think it's a carving. You might think it's 3D. It isn't. It's just a picture. Yet it's still impressive. Most impressive.

It's available on Etsy from iCaseSeraSera and comes with black, white, or clear sides. The Han Solo image is printed onto an aluminum insert that fits the back of the molded plastic case. The current version features carbonite Han Solo rocking out to an iPhone. (That's one of the things I like best about Etsy -- small batch products can be updated frequently and so there's always something fresh and new.)

Beyond the Han Solo, you have a fairly typical, slim, skin case

The good

• Perfect for Star Wars geeks

The bad

• Won't appeal to non-Star Wars geeks

Conclusion

If you're an iPhone user and a total Star Wars geek, check out the Han Solo Groovin in Carbonite - Star Wars Parody Case for iPhone.

You love it.

I know.

17.99 - Order now

It has the fast app switcher, it has folders, it has notification center, it has Siri, but at its core it's still an app switcher, same as it's been since 2007 and the same as my Handspring was over a decade ago. It's a classic, but as much as everyone loves the classics, sometimes we want something new.

So what shall it be, iMore nation? Does the Home screen need a complete redesign to compete with the likes of Windows Phone, webOS, and BlackBerry 10? Does it simply need some widgets to keep pace with Android? Or does it really need nothing at all? Vote in the poll up top and let us know your more detailed thoughts in our iOS 6 Forum!

The best iOS podcast in the 'verse returns tonight to talk all the latest iPhone and iPad news, how-tos, and app and accessory reviews. Come join us!

Want to go full screen? Head to iMore.com/live. Want to watch via iPhone or iPad? Grab the Ustream app and search for "mobilenations"!

Did you ever look at a Jawbone JAMBOX and wish that it was bigger? If so, your wishes have been answered with the BIG JAMBOX, everything you loved about the original but at a much larger size. (10.1 x 3.2 x 3.7 inches and 2.7lbs to be exact!)

The original JAMBOX had great sound and the BIG JAMBOX aims to take that sound and fill even bigger spaces with it. Not just a room but a hall, not just a movie night but a party. With precision-tuned drivers and dual passive bass radiators, it promises great sound at any size. It also uses LiveAudio technology, which Jawbone claims "reveals rich layers of audio that you can sense all around you". 3D sound can be a bit of a gimmick, so hopefully it's good as well as fancy.

Even though the BIG JAWBONE is much larger, and is built from strong stainless steel, the BIG JAMBOX still aims to remain portable. It's Bluetooth -- though 2.1 and not 4.0 -- so you're not stuck with wires. It boasts 15 hours of battery time, so you shouldn't run out during the day (or night). You can also update it over the internet, so if apps, updates, or new content becomes available, you can grab it and make it yours. There's even a carrying case (sold separately) to protect your purchase on the go.

Certainly the original, smaller JAMBOX will still appeal to many users. It's so easy to take around and sounds so good, after all. But sometimes big music, big movies, and big games will simply require big speakers. For those occasions, and those kinds of users, now there's a BIG JAMBOX.

The BIG JAMBOX will be available in graphite hex, white wave, and red dot. It ships on May 15 and can be pre-ordered now for $299. Anyone planning to grab one?

Source: Jawbone

The pitch for this one was simple -- girls just want to have fun dancing the night away without having to keep track of a purse or a coat, but they still want a place to safely stash their iPhone, credit cards, IDs and key. Enter the JoeyBra. It has discreet pockets on the side that, if you're wearing the appropriate night club attire, you can easily slip your iPhone out of for a quick call or text, and slip right back in when you're again ready to rock.

We are now taking pre-orders for the first sexy, yet functional pocketed bra that will allow you to leave your purse behind and hit the dance floor without ever having to worry about the safety of your valuables. Our unique design will hold most cellphones, ID, key, and other small items regardless of bust size - no amount of items will change the way your bra fits you. When the pocket is empty, our patent pending design will look exactly like any other bra which means you can wear it night or day. Never again will you have to reach down the front of your dress looking for the key that slipped out of place. Our product places all pockets within easy, yet appropriate reach.

We've seen clothing getting more high-tech for years now, especially outerwear like jackets and even sports tops, so it's interesting to see inner wear getting the same attention.

Sure, the JoeyBra won't be the iPhone carrying method of choice for every lady, but the beauty of the internet and the new generation of manufacturing startups means niche products actually have a fighting chance.

There's only one style of JoeyBra available right now, but it looks like there might be more to come.

The JoeyBra is expected to ship in June and can be pre-ordered now for $29.99.

Source: JoeyBra via CNET

However, it still isn't very consistent -- it will read SMS but not email, it will send SMS and Email but not tweets. And while it's added Japanese to its list of supported languages, that's all its added. Still no Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese, no Mandarin Chinese, or other popular languages. Even for the languages Siri does support, it's still hit or miss at times, and while it works wonderfully for some users, it doesn't seem to work at all for others. And, of course, the new iPad didn't get Siri at all...

Apple is still focusing most of their iPhone 4S marketing on Siri, with high profile celebrity ads involving Samuel L. Jackson, Zooey Deschenel, and... Santa. And according to our own Ally Kazmucha's exclusive talk with Siri co-founder and former Apple employee, Dag Kittlaus, there's more to come.

But for now we just want to know how much you're using Siri? Do you rely on her (or him, depending on your language) all day, every day? Or do you use Siri so little you've forgotten it even exists? Vote in the poll up top and give us your honest opinion in our Siri Forum -- how much do you use Siri?

Last week Apple debuted two new iPhone 4S commercials, once again highlighting the still-in-beta Siri, but this time using celebrities Samuel L. Jackson and Zooey Deschanel to do the demos (does Santa count as the first celebrity?). Apple rarely uses celebrities in their advertising, so maybe this is the beginning of something new and exciting? Could there be more celebrity Siri spots in the future? And if so, who would you like to see?

• Christian Bale: "Oh, good for you, Siri!"
• James Earl Jones: "Sir, I... am... your... father!"
• Sean Connery: "No, Shiri, I shaid Jammy Dodger!"

The possibilities are nearly as endless as they are entertaining.

If you have a great idea for a celebrity Siri conversation, head on over and add it to our Siri Forum. We'll pick the best ones and feature them right here on the site!

There are several good Bluetooth keyboard options for the iPad but the Brydge is simply cool. It aims to make your iPad look like a MacBook Pro, complete with aerospace-grade, anodized aluminum, and optional stereo speakers. Brydge connects to the iPad using a special hinge that "clicks-in" and provides almost 180 degrees of rotation. That means your iPad will be held securely, and at just the perfect angle for you to view it.

s it just us, or does it feel like the options for iPad keyboards and accessories are excessive in quantity, yet lacking in quality? This is why we created Brydge, which simply transforms your iPad into a laptop worthy of Apple.

This idea of turning your iPad into a high quality laptop seemed obvious to us and we were shocked when we could not find any accessory that accomplished this. So we set out to make such a product from the highest quality materials that would compliment your iPad perfectly.

The project is on Kickstarter now, so if this is the iPad Bluetooth keyboard look you've been dreaming about, head on over and get with the backing!

Source: Kickstarter

That means getting people to switch from what they're already using to Google Drive might be a hard sell. We're creatures of habit, after all, and you need to offer us significant enticement to get us to change habits).

But does Google even need us to switch? Google Drive offers 5GB of free storage, and will increasingly be integrated into the Google Services many of us use every day. Many of us simply added iCloud to our existing cloud storage usage, after all. Many could just as easily add Google Drive. iOS device data and backups, and iTunes content in iCloud, our existing file shares in Dropbox, and a bunch of Google Docs and extra backups in Google Drive... why not?

There are privacy concerns, of course. Google has struggled with some of their new product launches, and their Terms of Service have been unfortunately worded at times, and some people -- rightly or wrongly -- have grown a little suspicious of Google and their constant desire to index and monetize our lives. Nothing is ever truly free, so we'll pay one way or another. Some prefer to pay with money, others with access to data -- we all have to do what makes us comfortable.

There's also no iPhone or iPad app yet. (Really? Google takes 5 years to release it and they still couldn't get the iOS app done in time?)

So what will it be, iMore nation? Does Google Drive have a place in your cloud storage life? Will it be your one-and-only, one-of-many, or nothing at all? Or are you going to wait and see how it works before deciding? Vote in the poll up top and then give me the details in the iMore Google Forums!

If the iPhone casing gets even slightly bigger, then the battery can spread out more and maybe the next generation iPhone can be thinner and get the same or better battery life. If the iPhone 5 keeps the same overall casing size, however, something might have to give.

If you had the choice between a thinner new iPhone with shorter battery life, a same depth iPhone with the same battery life, and a slightly thicker new iPhone with longer battery life, which would you choose?

Vote in the poll up top and give me your reasons why in the comments below!

The Choiix Power Fort 5600 mAh by Cooler Master is an external battery pack charger for your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Unlike case charges such as the mophie juice pack, because it's USB based the Power Fort will also work with Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and most other gadgets, as well as accessories like Bluetooth headsets.

The Power Fort has a built-in lithium ion battery that takes about 6-8 hours to fully charge and Choixx claims it lasts for about 500 charging cycles. Once it's fully charged, it can re-charge most modern smartphones about 2 to 3 times for a total of about 28 hours of usage. An iPad 2 or similar sized Android tablet gets up to 6 hours and a Bluetooth headset, almost 140 hours. Handy LED indicators on the top show you how much charge remains in the Power Fort.

A special bypass circuit design in the Power Fort prevents any damage from over charging or charging/discharging, so you don't have to worry about your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad taking any battery life hits. The Power Fort also has short circuit and over heating protection built in, and you can charge your iPhone, iPod touch and iPhone while charging the Power Fort.

The good

• Provides a lot of power
• Holds charge well
• Compact and easy to carry

The bad

• One more thing to carry

The conclusion

The Choiix Power Fort 5600 mAh by Cooler Master is a good choice if you want a powerful yet compact external battery to take with you when you'll be out and about for an extended period of time. It's also good if you have several different types of gadgets and accessories and need one, flexible charging solution to handle all of them. It is one more thing to carry around, but without power, so is a dead iPhone or iPad...

$69.99 - Buy now

NoiseHush stereo headphones feature neodymium magnet drivers and advanced engineering to deliver a great audio experience whether used with your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. I'm going to review a couple of their models, starting with the NoiseHush NX26 Hi-Fi stereo headphones.

The NoiseHush NX26 headphones are for high-performance audio that promise deep bass, low distortion and a wide dynamic range. They eliminate noise, making sure no matter what you're listening to, music or video or someone else at the end of a call, you're not distracted by a lot of external chatter. They have an adjustable headband and an over-the-ear design that delivers good sound and strong bass. The microphone also claims to be acoustically tuned to filter out external noise so the people you're talking to hear you, and not the racket around you.

While the NoiseHush NX26 are a lot of headphone to love -- they're big, really big -- but being over-the-ear lets them deliver really rich, really clean sound. They don't fit as tightly as some other headphones, however, so if you're seriously getting your headbang on, you'll need to be careful so you don't know yourself out. (Kidding!)

I use similarly sized headphones for podcasting on a regular basis, so for around the house it really doesn't bother me. I wouldn't use them to go jogging or in the gym, but if I really wanted to enjoy my favorite music or a movie with amazing sound design, these would be the headphones Id' use.

The good

• Over-the-ear design is comfortable
• Sound quality is excellent

The bad

• Loose fitting
• Large

The conclusion

The NoiseHush NX26 are good headphones for the price. The size and design won't appeal to everyone -- these aren't your Apple earbuds, and thank goodness for that! -- but for those who like the form factor, they'll appeal a lot. Combining long-wearing comfort with excellent sound quality the NoiseHush NX26 are an excellent pair of headphone to keep at home for the stuff you want to listen to most.

$69.95 - Buy now

The Antique model Steampunk Case for iPhone is one of a few handcrafted iPhone cases by Paul Marsh's Blujoos. Each model is a special edition, limited to 50 pieces, and designed to give your iPhone a unique look you just won't find anywhere else. A model and prop maker from the film industry with over 20 years and 25 films and TV series to his credit, Marsh is pouring every bit of that skill into these cases and it really shows. These aren't stickers -- these are actual 3D castings!

The models are built using carefully chosen parts from watches and clocks, and then a platinum silicone mould is created from the model. Marsh casts the individual cases from a tough, UV protected polyurethane and then -- get this -- impregnates them with metal powders. That's real brass, real bronze, real copper, and real iron powders. That's what gives them the incredible look of rusted, corroded metals. It's beautiful destruction and The effect is simply stunning. It looks like something out of fantasy, like the kingdoms busily assembling themselves during the opening credits of Game of Thrones...

There are currently two models available on Etsy, the Antique which I'm reviewing here, and the Salvage which has a more coppery, almost Lost City of Atlantis look to it.

Both are gorgeous and both are extremely limited, so if you like them, pounce on them soon.

The good

• Exquisite craftsmanship
• Incredible finish
• Unique look and feel

The bad

• iPhone can shift slightly in case
• Bulkier than a mass-produced skin

The conclusion

I absolutely adore the look of and feel of the Antique Steampunk iPhone case by Blujoos. Paul Marsh has put together something more than an accessory -- he's put together a real work of art. If you're a fan of the Steampunk genre, or of fantasy or sci-fi model-making techniques, or simply of unique craftsmanship and amazing design, check out Marsh's work on Etsy now.

$64 - Buy now

Right now we just want to get a quick sense of your satisfaction level. Six months later, are you still happy with your iPhone 4S purchase? Is the iPhone 4S still competitive or are you thinking about switching to something else? Would you recommend the iPhone 4S to a friend, family member, or co-worker looking for a new phone today?

Cast your vote in the poll above and then jump into our iPhone 4S forum and leave us your complete iPhone 4S review, six months later!

A phone. An internet communicator. A widescreen iPod. That's how Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone, and since then one little device has gone on to replace so many single-purpose, single-tasking gadgets I'm starting to lose count. The iPhone is basically my mobile office in the palm of my hand. Apple didn't invent the concept of convergence, of course, but the smartphone category in general has really blazed the trail towards a multitasking future that few other things have followed.

Our cars still can't submerge or fly, and our kitchens involve moving from station to station, machine to machine, like an old-fashioned assembly line -- where are our replicators?

But it looks like furniture is slowly, almost stealthily creeping up on the future as well. Not as quickly as our iPhones and iPads mind you, and perhaps not as quickly as we'd like, but it's getting there.

A desk. A bed. A closet. That's what you'll see in the video below, and some pretty amazing tables and chairs and futuristic furniture in general. Of course, these are all manual transformers, nothing fancy like a Hasbro cartoon or Michael Bay movie, but check them out and let us know -- in another 5 to 10 years, is that the kind of stuff you envision yourself working, sleeping, and sitting on as you cyber-boot your iCommunicator or iHoloImplant? Maybe from orbit?

Should you get the new iPad or MacBook Air, or more properly, who should get an iPad and who would do better with a MacBook Air? That was the topic of our very first iMore TV show almost 18 months -- and two full iPad generations! -- ago, and it's one we return to now following the launch of the latest, greatest 3rd generation iPad!

The MacBook Air hasn't changed much (it did get a backlit keyboard, however) but the iPad has come a long, long way in terms of display, power, and connectivity. The MacBook Air now has OS X Lion and the iPad iOS 5. While the Mac has been made took look more like the iPad, the iPad hasn't been made to work more like the Mac.

Is it fair to compare? One is a traditional laptop, albeit the best small laptop in the business, and the other is the first breakthrough tablet device. The MacBook Air is still twice the price of the iPad as well. Yet if we stop thinking in terms of product and start thinking in terms of solution, both are ultraportables that will appeal to those who want to be highly mobile. If you already have a desktop or large laptop at home or work, the MacBook Air and iPad could both be contenders for your tertiary device. If you have no computer and are looking to get something just for the internet and light productivity, both could be a great introductory machine.

Once again it's keyboard vs multitouch, storage vs battery life, and which one might be best for you, for your kids, for your parents, or just for your inner geek.

So if you’ve been trying to decide between an iPad and a MacBook Air check out our very latest iMore TV and we’ll try to help you make the best choice possible!

Wrap your new iPad in handcrafted leather and birch with Pad & Quill's classic Contega case

The Pad & Quill Contega case for the new iPad updates their iPad 2 case for Apple's third generation tablet. Granted, it's not a major change -- they've teased that will come soon enough -- but it does make the adjustments necessary to get an already fabulous case working on the latest iPad. That makes this review really simple: if you loved the Contega on your iPad 2, you'll love it on your new iPad. If you didn't try it on your previous iPad, or this is your first iPad, and you're a fan of the moleskin look and feel, then you're in for a real treat.

Grooves inside the front cover let you stand your iPad up at two convenient angles

Pad & Quill cases are lovingly created by Mr. & Mrs. PQ in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and locally handcrafted out of the finest Spanish bonded leather and single sheet Baltic birch. They're traditional, artesanal, beautiful. Like we said in our previous review, there's just something about wrapping Apple's latest glass and aluminum technology in old world materials...

The Contega is P&Q's higher end case and has several great features, both carried over from the previous generation and new for the new iPad model. The Baltic birch frame is now stronger than ever and has a Sure-Lock bumper system to hold your new iPad securely in place. The cover contains the same kind of magnets as Apple's own Smart Cover, so opening and closing the Contega turns your iPad on and off, just like the Smart Cover. It's got a sound channel that redirects as much of the iPad's tiny speaker back at you as possible, and a cutout for the camera so you don't have to remove your new iPad to use the much improved new camera. And the Contega also includes a secret hidden pocket for your secret hidden papers!

The Pad & Quill Contega case for the new iPad is black on the outside but hides a colored heart within -- camden blue, cranberry red, field green, plum, and french roast are your options. (Those last two are new to the new model.) Because of rather cunning grooves inside the cover, you can also use the Contega to prop up your iPad for easy video watching -- at two different angles. Flip it over, and the cover works to hold your iPad at a better typing angle as well. Close it up, and a handy elastic snaps around to hold it closed.

If you love the idea of new age tech wrapped in old world beauty, the Pad & Quill Contega is for you

The good

• Stunningly beautiful design
• Amazing craftsmanship
• Can be easily positioned for easy typing or video watching
• Hidden pocket for papers

The bad

• Leather and wood is bulkier than plastic film

The conclusion

Because of it's relative bulk and classical design, and the premium price for such a premium product, the Pad & Quill Contega will never appeal to every iPad user. Nor should it. Art isn't about mass appeal. It's about being authentic and making a statement. For those who want to carry their iPad around with the comfort and flair of an old world book, the Pad & Quill Contega remains the gold standard.

$99 - Buy now

Update: The fine folks at Pad & Quill have been gracious enough to send us a coupon code for iMore readers! Just enter iMR31 on checkout and received 10% off the Octavo and/or Contega cases for the new iPad (3rd generation).

While I just know every single member of the iMore nation went and downloaded the brand new iMore for iPhone app the instant it became available -- and rated it 5 stars in the App Store, right? -- we're so happy with our new baby we can't help but want to celebrate some more, and thank each and every one of you for simply being just so awesome. So here's what we're going to do -- we're going to give away some iPhone cases! I've reviewed a couple lately that I really liked, and I can't decide which one we should give away, so I'm going to let you choose!

Here are the contenders!

• SGP Linear Blitz Case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4
• Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4

To enter, all you have to do is:

1. Download the FREE iMore for iPhone app (if by some horrible quirk of fate you haven't already!)
2. Tap the More tab at the bottom right
3. Tap the Send a Tip button
4. Tell us which case you want to win, SGP or Case-Mate!
5. Tap Send at the top right

And that's it! We'll pick a couple winners, and you'll get the case you chose. Really, could anything be more awesome than that?

So what are you waiting for? Send in your case pick now!

Ever since Apple showed off the square iPod nano, I've dreamed of a watch that would interface with my iPhone and let me see all my notifications. When the iPhone 4S debuted, I added Siri pass-through to my list of demands. Sadly, Apple hasn't yet seen fit to grant my wishes, but Pebble's E-Paper watch takes a few steps decidedly in that direction! Now on KickStarter, the Pebble E-Paper connects to your iPhone (or Android Phone) over Bluetooth and runs apps that let you use GPS or control music and media playback.

Apps bring Pebble to life. We're building some amazing apps for Pebble. Cyclists can use Pebble as a bike computer, accessing the GPS on your smartphone to display speed, distance and pace data. Runners get a similar set of data displayed on their wrist. Use the music control app to play, pause or skip tracks on your phone with the touch of a button. If you're a golfer, feel free to bring Pebble onto the course. We're working with Freecaddie to create a great golf rangefinder app for Pebble that works on over 25,000 courses world-wide. Instead of using your phone, view your current distance to the green right on your wrist. These apps will be the first, with more in the works!

There will also be an open SDK so if you're a developer, you can build additional apps as well. Pebble includes an accelerometer, vibrating motor, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. So no low-power Bluetooth 4.0 yet, and no microphone or speaker for Siri pass-through, but still a lot of potential. Plus, they claim 7 days of battery life, which is sweet.

Check out the video below and if you like what you see, head on over to KickStarter and get a backing!

Source: KickStarter

The SGP GLAS.t Screen Protector is simply the best iPhone screen protector I've ever used. By far.

If you switched from a phone with a plastic screen to the iPhone's spectacular glass screen, then you know how different the feeling is. It's like night and day. Glass is just so much easier to slide, swipe, pinch, flick and use than plastic. For everything from basic navigation to good old game plat, glass is the feeling you want. And it's exactly the feeling the SGP GLAS.t Screen Protector for iPhone gives you.

Although I've used a lot of screen protectors and films over the years, I've never stuck with any of them precisely because they made my beautiful glass iPhone screen feel like cheap, sticky plastic. Every swipe just felt wrong. The SGP GLAS.t Screen Protector suffers from none of that. It feels almost exactly like the iPhone screen. The reason for that is simple -- GLAS.t has a hardness of 8-9H, which they say is three times stronger than regular PET film.

That also makes it incredibly scratch resistant, so contact with keys, loose change, and other common pocket objects isn't a problem. It is a high-density material, however, so if you drop it from high enough it could chip -- but better the inexpensive, easily replaceable GLAS.t than your expensive, not easily replaceable iPhone screen and digitizer, right? The GLAS.t is also specifically designed to break into small, non-sharp pieces so it's not as dangerous as a traditional glass product.

The GLAS.t sticks to your iPhone by virtue of a strong silicon adhesive and once in place it transfers capacitive touch input effortlessly between your finger or stylus and your iPhone. I noticed no missed multi-touch moments or any lag whatsoever. Because it's a solid layer, it will add slightly more thickness (0.4mm) to your iPhone than the almost two-dimensional plastic films, but the difference in tactile feel more than makes up for it. It eclipses it.

While thicker than a plastic film, you'll be too busy loving the feel of the GLAS.t to notice!

Because of the thickness, however, SGP includes several Home button extenders that you can use to make the Home button easier to press. You don't have to use them, they just turn -- for lack of a better term! -- your iPhone Home button from an innie to an outie. You get black, white, pink, and green options. I much prefer the basic black one.

The GLAS.t is also oleophobic, just like the iPhone screen, so it repels oil and finger smudges and is much easier to keep clean. (SGP nicely includes a microfiber cloth to help with just that.)

Included in the GLAS.t package is the screen protector itself, a microfiber cleaning cloth, a cleaning wipe, and 2 white, 2 black, and 2 colored Home button extenders.

The good

• Feels just like iPhone glass -- spectacular!
• Oleophobic for easier cleaning
• Scratch resistant

The bad

• Not as thin or chip-resistant as plastic.

The conclusion

The feel of glass is just so much better than the feel of plastic that once you try the SGP GLAS.t I don't think you'll ever be able to go back. It's easy to put on, easy to clean, it's scratch proof, and it just looks and works so much better than a plastic screen protector. The best compliment I can give the GLAS.t is that after a while it doesn't feel like you're using a screen protector at all, it just feels like you're using the same silky smooth glass surface you've always been using.

It's the best screen protector I've ever used (and a lot of us here at Mobile Nations are now absolutely hooked on them).

$29.95 - Buy now

I've been using mobile devices since the Handspring Prism and switched to the iPhone in 2010 when it first arrived in Canada. Slowly but surely, I've come to rely on it more and more, not only for blogging here on iMore, but for managing my day job as a therapist.

My iPhone's built-in alarm wakes me up in the morning. With eyes still half closed, I fumble for it, and peer at Intelliscreen X, my jailbreak Lock screen extender, to see if any urgent SMS messages or emails have come in over night. If nothing's there, I freely admit to hitting snooze and getting as many more winks in as time and family will allow.

Since I spend most of my day seeing clients at my office, where I'm offline and petty much unreachable while in session, I depend on SMS and email to stay in touch and keep track of any scheduling changes and additions. I can't have sound alerts on so unobtrusive visual notifications are really important to me. In between sessions I need to be able to look and see a list of everything that's come in while I've been busy, and respond as quickly and efficiently as possible. I use BiteSMS for jailbreak to handle my SMS heavy lifting. It lets me quickly see and reply to SMS messages even if I'm busy using another app (or game, shhh!) at the same time.

Since I'm often in a rush to get out of the house in the morning, I've come to rely on the Nexia Home Security System so I can do everything from lock my doors to turn on or off lights no matter where I am.

On my way to work I listen to music in the built-in Music app. I actually listen to music all the time. Whenever I'm out and about and hear something I like, I use Shazam [Free - Download now] to identify and buy it, and musiXmatch so I can -- yes, I can't believe I'm admitting this! -- sing along!

I'm also constantly taking photos with the built-in Camara app. I take photos of everything -- beautiful skies, outfits that look interesting, nail polish I'm testing out, hairstyles I've tried. You name it, I shoot it. I haven't gotten into any of the App Store photography or sharing apps, but I have used the amazing olloclip to do wide-angle, fisheye, and macro shots.

If I have to set Reminders or create quick Notes while traveling or in between sessions, I use Siri. I've played around with a number of jailbreak Siri extensions, but I don't use any of them regularly.

At work my iPhone becomes -- steady now! -- a phone! I use it to make an return calls. (And yes, I still remember phone numbers and use the dialer to place calls...) I also use the built-in Calculator for book-keeping. I have some events in the Calendar app but those are mostly for family and personal appointments. I still use a good old fashioned agenda book for client appointments.

Whenever I have a free moment, I love to decompress with casual games. My current favs include Draw Something and Zuma's Revenge [$1.99 - Download now]. It's not exactly the same as my long, lamented Stoneloops, but it's close.

Nothing beats a fun, casual game to de-stress during those quiet moments between the chaos!

I now use the awesome iMore app to keep up-to-date with the site, and Tapatalk to read and reply to the iMore forums. I don't use Twitter much, but when I do I'm now using Tweetbot. I also use Notes to rough out my reviews.

Before doing an accessory review, I use Tapatalk to get feedback from the forums, and Notes to outline the criteria.

When I finally get home, I switch to the iPad and enjoy surfing the web, gaming, and watching videos the bigger screen. When I go to bed, however, it's back to the iPhone. Nothing can beat its mobility.

I'll check my schedule for the next day, catch up on any remaining emails and texts, maybe play a few more games. Then I set my alarm and catch as much sleep as I can before repeating it all the next day!

Interest in seeing how other members of the iMore nation use their iPhones and iPads at work? Check out the full series! Want to share how you use your iOS device? Add your story to our official iPhone at Work or iPad at Work threads in the iMore Forums!

The Converge USB charging hub from Think Geek is a fun, futon-inspired stand for your iPhone, iPod tour or iPad. Working on an Apple mobile blog like iMore means you start to amass a lot of Apple mobile devices and even if I'm only using an iPhone and an iPad every day, keeping them both charged in an easy, elegant way has proven to be more of a challenge than I originally imagined. Converge looks like a great way to do just that.

Converge is the futon of charging hubs. Its white folds remind us of a bendy futon mattress, but it has the added feature of a slot to slip in charging cables. With the help of soft TPE grips, cables stay nestled out of sight behind Converge. Just plug the power source into your nearest outlet and you can charge up to 4 USB devices while they chill out on Converge's curvy frame.

Hiding cables beneath the fold of the Converge is a great idea, and including 4 USB charging outlets makes it great for power gadget users, couples, and even families who need to keep a lot of devices at the ready. And if you're cross-platform, it works with most other smartphones and tablets as well (though curiously not the Blackberry Torch, Blackberry Curve, or the Barnes & Noble Nook...?)

$39.99 - Buy now

Let's say you're trying to have a Skype or FaceTime video call but you're also busy moving around an doing things. You can't hold your iPhone because your hands are full but you can't put it down either because you'll continuously be out of frame. Enter the Galileo robotic stands for the iPhone! It allows the person on the other end of the call to automagically follow you whichever way you go with complete, 360 degree rotational ability. (And it's cute too!)

The Galileo is a revolutionary, iOS-controlled robotic iPhone platform with infinite spherical rotation capability. Just swipe your finger on the screen of your iPad or other iOS device and Galileo reacts, orienting your iPhone or iPod Touch accordingly. With applications in areas of photography, cinematography, social networking, and video conferencing, Galileo gives iOS devices endless possibilities of remote-controlled motion. Capable of infinite 360° pan-and-tilt at speeds up to 200° per second in any orientation, Galileo is an invaluable tool to everyone from an amateur photographer to the professional cinematographer, and vastly improves the experience of video chat for anyone needing to stay connected.

For everything from baby monitoring to remote learning, time lapse photography to cinematography, to all manner of specialty imagining, the Galileo provides full 360 degree pan and tilt, can be controolled via your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or the web, and can even be mounted on standard tripods! The Galileo is rechargeable and can charge your iPhone as well.

It works with the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4, and comes in black or white, or limited edition Kickstarter green.

But the most exciting part is this -- Galileo has an SDK! That means Galileo can be integrated into full on robots. How cool is that?

Galileo comes from Motr and the inventive minds of Josh Guyot and JoeBen Bevirt, who previously created the Joby and GorillaPod camera mounts. It's up on Kickstarter now and has 13 days to go. So, if you like it, head on over the get a backing!

Source: Kickstarter

Blade-Tech isn't your everyday, ordinary iPhone accessory maker. In fact, iPhones are usually the last thing you think of when you hear the name Blade-Tech. The first thing, obviously, is blades -- as in knives -- followed closely by guns. That's probably why Blade-Tech isn't selling a iPhone cable or even a case. Blade Tech is selling an iPhone holster.

The Smart Phone Holster for your iPhone fits the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 and works with cases like the Otter BOX Commuter Series, Otter BOX Defender, MAGPUL Executive, MAGPUL Field, and SI Battle Case.

The iPhone Holster is hand-crafted and comes with Tek-Lok belt clip or KLIP, so you can carry your iPhone on your hip, locked and loaded, with the screen facing in or out. Now certainly not everyone is going to want a tactical holster for the iPhone, but it continues to be amazing to see just how far and wide iPhone adoption has become. And you just know that it's because of options like this everyone from Sarah Walker to Sarah Connor would be packing an iPhone come go time.

If you were off to fight enemy spies or killer robots, or you simply want quick access to your ruggedly protected iPhone in the theater of your choosing, would Blade-Tech be your go to holster?

Source: Blade-Tech, tipped by Sam via the new iMore app

Introduced alongside iOS 5, iCloud was the subject of Steve Jobs' final keynote appearance and the way Apple finally "cut-the-cord" to iTunes and kicked off their Post-PC era. For the first time, iPhones, iPod touches and iPads could be set up, backed up and restored and updated over-the-air (OTA) without having to be plugged into a Mac or Windows PC. In fact, iCloud solved the age-old problem of getting users to backup and update in an entirely new, and even easier way. I used to be terrible when it came to backups, now they just happen. (I still don't update, however, due to jailbreak

Along with PC-free, iCloud also formalized the ability to re-download App Store apps and games, and iBookstore iBooks, and added the ability to re-download Music in the Cloud, and now TV in the Cloud and Movies in the Cloud (where they're available). If you don't mind spending an additional $24.99 a year, you can even get iTunes Match and have your entire music collection scanned and store on Apple's servers, with any low-quality songs that are available on the giant iTunes catalog replaced with Apple's higher-quality versions. Then you can re-download those from up to 10 devices on the same Apple ID as well.

Photo Stream tries to provide a seamless way to have any photo taken on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or in iPhoto or Aperture on your Mac stored on iCloud and pushed down to every other device on your Apple ID. It works much better now that, thanks to iOS 5.1, you can delete individual photos (or photo bombs!).

Documents in the Cloud intends to replace our local files and file systems with a worry-free online repository. There, our Pages, Keynote and Numbers files just kind of hang out until we need them. Unfortunately, Apple hasn't updated iWork on the Mac to support iCloud, and it looks like we'll have to wait for OS X Mountain Lion before any of that "just-works". What I was most excited about -- the idea that my Angry Birds levels on iPhone would simply sync to my iPad so I could game interchangeably on either one -- hasn't happened yet either. Hopefully we're getting there and it's just taking a little time.

MobileMe's Mail, Contacts, and Calendars have moved over to iCloud. I don't use them, but they're free now and they seem to be quite reliable lately as well so for many people they're a good option. Find my iPhone, which lets you track down a missing or stolen device, is also part of iCloud now. It is joined by Find my Friends, which may let you track down a missing or stolen friend but is really meant as a way to keep track of family or meet up with friends, if such a thing doesn't creep you out the way it does me.

iCloud isn't even 6 months old yet, and Apple has been adding new features like TV Shows and Movies in the Cloud, and if it's as important to their future as it seems to be, no doubt that will continue. So here's where I go back to my original question -- are you using iCloud? If so, which features? Vote in the poll up top and then tell me how you're using it -- and liking or not liking it -- in the comments below. And for more, jump into our iCloud Forum and have at it!

Have you ever had trouble reading, watching, playing, or otherwise using your iPhone while caught out in direct sunlight? Here's an easy workaround that's doesn't involve taking your iPad back inside

The iPad has a big, bright beautiful display that looks absolutely amazing under normal condition but, because it's glossy, can become reflective or washed out to the point of uselessness under the glare of direct sunlight. Luckily, all hope is not lost!

Here's what's going on. The iPad has an in-plane switching (IPS), light-emmiting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD) that produces crisp, clear colors under normal conditions. It's not laminated the same way the iPhone screen is, so it's even slightly more reflective when it catches rays.

So, what can be done? There are various anti-glare screen protectors you can try out, but those aren't practical to put on and take off every time you're out in the sun.

Chances are, however, if you're out in the sun, you'll have a pair of sunglasses. Like any self-respecting beach boy or bikini chic, they might even be polarized. If not, pick up a pair that is. You can also use passive 3D glasses if you're geeky enough to have those handy. They can make all the difference in the world when it comes to reading the web or eBooks, watching movies or TV shows, using apps or playing games.

To explain why, we're turning to Mobile Nations' own Stephane Koenig, our very own ocular science guy!

How to use polarized sunglasses (or passive 3D glasses) to see your iPad in direct sunlight

I'll spare you the fascinating explanation (it really is a clever trick of light that facilitates passive 3d, non- reflective coatings and a bunch of other good things).

Phew! So we can skip ahead to putting our polarized sunglasses on!

If you experience a black screen with your sunglasses on turn the iPad 90 degrees... i.e. if it's black in portrait rotate it to landscape and vice-versa. (Different polarized sunglasses will work in different orientations).

The effect is dramatic, gradual and proportional to the amount of turn.

It happens because the lenses block light polarized in one dimension and LCD panels produce light polarized one (potentially different) dimension as well. Coatings on some panels reduce this effect in order to reduce reflection/glare at the cost of lower 'compatibility' with polarized glasses. Sometimes they oppose each other and no light gets through. It's sort black magic if you don't understand what happening.

Here's a simple explanation and here's a deeper explanation -- scroll down past the science bit to see examples of uses...

• Radio: AM/FM radio waves are polarized which is why radio antenna tend to be vertical for best reception and TV antennas are horizontal
• Shop windows have similar coatings to reduce ambient reflection - they want you to see the products not yourself.
• Passive 3D glasses work because the left eye only lets light through polarized one way and the right eye lets light through polarized the other way. The projector polarizes the light from alternate frames to give a pseudo-3d effect because each frame show an image slightly with perspective slightly off-set from the other. Try tilting your head during the performance to test the extent of this technology. Better yet... pop out the lens, place them on top of one another then turn one of them 90 degrees to block out all light.
• Camera lenses have coating which can remove reflection from windows (an a commensurate amount of light) in the same way that some windows have coats as above
• If you view car window through polarized lenses you can see the stress lines in the glass, manufacturers exploit this as one of the quality tests for their tempered glass.

Thanks Steph! So bottom line, if you want to take your iPad to the beech or the pool, out on a sunny street or park, or anywhere where there will be bright, direct sunlight, just bring a good pair of polarized sunglasses with you!

Bonus tip: Because of the way the iPhone display is constructed, polarized sunglasses can greatly reduce glare and increase visibility in both portrait and landscape mode!

Variable - Polarized sunglasses on Amazon.com - Buy now

Leanna really got into using a stylus when she did her iPad note-taking roundup. Rene uses them to draw with Procreate and Paper. I figured out I could a stylus to just kill at Draw Something.

Have you had a must-have stylus moment? Are you using a Stylus for writing, drawing, gaming, or just for getting around on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad? If so, tell me what for in the poll and give me the details in the comments! And if you had a stylus "aha!" moment, jump into the forums and share!

Some people, really security conscious people, would probably prefer iTunes ask for a password any time it does anything, always. Better safe than sorry. Who knows who could be using your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad after all, from a friend to a colleague to a spouse to a child to a friend's colleague's spouse's child. You really want to risk $100 in Hello Kitty apps suddenly showing upon your Home screen?

Other people, really convenience-oriented people, would probably like iTunes to ask for a password as little as possible. Maybe never. If you're the only one who ever uses your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, and it never leaves a place you control, then why should you be bothered by having to enter in a password every time an app has a minor bug fix update?

Personally, I'd like a choice (big surprise, right?) Give me a Settings option for "always ask", or "only ask for paid transactions". I don't think "never ask" is safe, so I'm fine with that not being there. What about you? How often do you think iTunes should ask for your password?

I've mentioned this several times already on the iPhone & iPad Live podcast, in the new iPad round-table, and on Twitter, but I wanted to get something up here as well. The Retina display is great, but I'm not a designer or a photographer and I still read more on a computer and on paper than I do on my iPad. I have a Wi-Fi iPad so LTE isn't a consideration for me. Dictation is great and will make a huge difference to people who prefer to, or need to, talk rather than type. But for me, none of that is truly compelling. For me, instead of supporting a double density display or a faster network, I would have loved the extra power of that Apple A5X chipset and that extra RAM to do one thing and one thing only -- make my iPad faster.

I hate waiting. I watch lower resolution videos because I hate waiting for streaming to start or buffering to finish. My iPad turns on instantly and I love that. But then when I launch a website, I'm still waiting for pages to render and when I launch a game, I'm still waiting for it to load. Because things like turning on are so fast, when you do have to wait for something it feels so much more apparent.

The iPad 2 was such a speed increase from the original iPad that it I noticed it immediately. Even the iPhone 4S is fast enough compared to the iPhone 4 that I noticed it immediately. The new iPad... is about the same as the iPad 2. That it's the same given a Retina display is awesome, but I can't help wishing it would have stuck with a regular display and been twice as fast again.

Top to bottom: new iPad, iPad 2, iPad

The resolution of text or images never bothered me; the speed of getting them to show up on screen did. Maybe that wouldn't have been as sexy and upgrade, or maybe "thinner, lighter, faster" wouldn't have been a strong enough selling point two years in a row, but I'm willing to bet it would have been welcome by many.

Also, let's not forget battery life. It's remarkable that the new iPad gets a Retina display and keeps the same 10 hour battery life as an iPad 2. Imagine how much battery life it would get without it? Probably 17 hours.

Retina display and LTE now done, next year's iPad will probably lose the extra bulk and speed up again, maybe even get longer battery life as well. That's the upgrade I'll be waiting for.

In the meantime I'll be waiting for my web pages to load and games to start...

Steve Jobs sometimes liked to quote Henry Ford -- "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses". Instead he gave them something they had no idea they wanted until he gave it to them -- a car. With the new iPad, however, I suddenly find myself on the opposite side of that equation. All I would have wanted was a faster iPad.

The Glam Sparkle case for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S is just the latest in a long line of beautiful, shiny cases from Case-Mate. They sent this back from CES 2012 for me to look at and what can I say, they know my weakness and they exploit it well! From the latest brushed aluminum Barely-There to my trusty old Chrome case, Case-Mate has never failed to trap me with their sparkling wares.

And the Glam Sparkle case for iPhone really does sparkle, as the name so well implies! It comes in silver, gold, green, and pink, and it hast a multifaceted backplate that literally twinkles and glitters as it catches the light at different angles. It's not rough to the touch, however, as the sparkles are protected by a tough layer of lacquer that's finished silky smooth.

Like all of Case-Mate's recent Barely-There cases, the Glam Sparkle adds almost no bulk and all the cutouts are generous so you won't have any trouble fitting your favorite 3.5mm headphones or using any dock cable, even the chunkier media or car kit plugs. The edges don't come up over the bezel, which is great for people like me who don't want swiping interrupted, but no so great if you're looking for some protection when you put your iPhone on a table face down.

Speaking of protection, what you give up in bulk you also give up in protection. This is no tank case! It will protect your precious iPhone from scratches and scuffs to the side and back, but it probably won't help you much in the event of serious impact damage.

If all you want to do is make your iPhone look absolutely fabulous, however, the Case-Mate Glam Sparkle has you covered.

My only worry is, after chrome, brushed metal, and sparkles, how can Case-Mate top this level of shine in the next model?

The good

• Incredibly sparkly, thin, and pretty
• Large cutouts make it easy to use any headphones or dock cables
• Minimal bulk

The bad

• Doesn't provide a super high amount of protection
• Not everyone can pull off this level of sparkly!

The conclusion

Case-Mate had me at shiny. Need I say more? Just when I think I have a case that's as shiny as it gets, Case-Mate comes up with something shinier still. If you're a fan of glitter and glamor, and want your iPhone to make as shiny a statement as possible, this case is for you!

$18.11+ - Buy now

The best iOS podcast in the 'verse returns tonight to talk all the latest iPhone and iPad news, how-tos, and app and accessory reviews. Come join us!

Want to go full screen? Head to iMore.com/live. Want to watch via iPhone or iPad? Grab the Ustream app and search for "mobilenations"!

SGP Kuel H10 is a compact, convenient, capacitive stylus for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It's made from a special silicon with high polymer abrasion-resistant coating, which SGP says allows for smooth touch and incredible control. In my experience it's the multitouch sensors in iOS devices themselves that are the limiting factor when it comes to any stylus, but SGP has certainly made a pen to be proud of.

In order to put the Kuel H10 to the test, I did what any self-respecting technology blogger would do -- I used it to see if it could help me dominate at the game Draw Something. (What, like you wouldn't?) It came in really handy, getting my hand out the way so I could see what I was drawing and giving me far greater control than finger painting alone would allow. I could generally get precise lines and smooth curves. Because the tip that allows for the capacitive touch is spongy, you do have to press harder than you would with a finger but it's produced better results than other stylus' I've tried. In fact, it's currently my favorite stylus to use.

With a stylus, you hand doesn't block the screen and you have much better control for games like Draw Something

The Kuel H10 is smaller than many of the other styli on the market, but the outside has a good grip and it never caused any issues. It also has a cap to protect the silicon cap and its polymer abrasion-resistant coating, with a handy strap that attached to the 3.5mm headset jack. That keeps your stylus connected to your phone and makes it harder to loose. (Though I do worry that it might hit, grind against, or otherwise cause a problem with the screen.) Also, the cap on my review unit has loosened over time, so I worry it might slip out and get lost anyway if I'm not careful. There's also a small metal edge on the top of the 3.5mm plug that I wish wasn't there.

The SGP Kuel H10 stylus has a cap to protect the capacitive tip and string that plugs into the 3.5mm headset jack to also keep it close at hand

The good

• Cap protects stylus tip and attaches to phone to keep it handy
• Compact design makes it convenient to carry
• Easy to grip and comfortable to use

The bad

• Cap can loosen, leading to lost stylus
• 3.5mm plug has an unnecessarily rough tip

The conclusion

I love the SGP Kuel H10 stylus and recommend it. This is my absolute favorite stylus to date. That may change as we test more of them here at iMore, and as next-generation Bluetooth 4.0 styli come out that allow for pressure sensitivity. For now, however, the small size, beautiful finish, and convenient way it connects to my iPhone makes the SGP Kuel H10 a winner. (And not just because it's helping me dominate at Draw Something, though that's certainly a bonus!)

12.99 - Buy now

The Billet Dock is a Kickstarter project that aims to make the ultimate iPad and iPhone dock. The billet dock can hold different generations of devices, no matter the difference in thickness, and can even hold them even if they're in cases.

The Billet Dock utilizes a cam pad that spins giving a continuous range of support settings allowing the dock to suit different thickness cases and different model iPads. To switch from one to the other all that is involved is rotating the cam support, it takes just seconds to do while the friction level is controlled by internal springs stopping the pad from moving when you don't want it to!

Machined from aerospace quality aluminum, the same way, they say, that Apple makes iPad and MacBook bodies, it will be offered in a wide range of colors and finishes to match whatever decor you might have or simply stand out and make just exactly the statement you wish to make. There's even a Duplex Billet Dock model to hold an iPad and an iPhone at the the same time.

The Billet Case is being offered for funding by TrackMac Engineering, a race engineering company that wants an iPad and iPhone dock as good looking and great working as precision race car.

We have taken time away from our major projects to do something for our day to day lives using the same design philosophy and expertise that we put into all of our designs whether they are for the race track or your coffee table, we take pride in what we do and would not put our name on something that is not Applesque quality.

There are 13 days left to go on the Kickstarter project. TrackMac is going to keep testing and tweaking the Billet Dock to ensure it fits most major cases and the needs of their backers on Kickstarter. So if the Billet Case is something you want on your desk, make sure you head on over and choose a pledge level.

Source: Billet Case on Kickstarter

There are several popular social networks on the web and they all have iPhone apps, and many have iPad apps (or the iPhone app can be used in 2x mode on the iPad). Which ones do you use, and if you have both and iPhone or iPod touch and an iPad, do you use them all the same on both? Are there any you prefer using on on iPhone as opposed to iPad, or vice versa? Any you use on one you don't use at all on the other?

I use Twitter almost exclusively from my iPhone and almost never from my iPad (or Mac). It just feels like something I enjoy doing while on-the-go, and my iPhone is always close at hand. The iPad is more of a relaxed reading device for me, so I can see how some might prefer browsing through Facebook there as opposed to iPhone.

I don't use Google+ much (and when I go on, I mostly only see people from Android Central or Google posting -- is that just me? -- but they haven't even made an iPad app yet so you're stuck using the iPhone app in 2x mode if you want to be able to upload anything. Same goes for Path. It's beautiful looking but it's iPhone only still. Instagram is the same way, but at least the camera-centric nature of the app makes that a little more understandable. Still, I would be nice to be able to look at all the amazing Instragrams in an official Instagram app for iPad. Does it bother you if your favorite social network is iPhone only? Or are the iPhone apps in 2x mode fine for you?

I've said many times I'm not a big social network user in general. I don't feel like I'm missing out, I feel like I'm engaging where and when it's really important to me (and not just feeding an endless stream of personal information to a giant advertising company, but I won't get into that rant again here!). Anyone else avoiding social networks as much as possible?

Vote up top to let us know which social networks you use the most, and then tell us why in the comments below, or jump into our Social Network Forum to find all the other iMore members on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and more!

Okay, I admit it -- the iPad really is magical. At least it is when it's put into the incredibly talented hands of Charlie Caper and iMore reader Erik Rosales. The performance by Step2 Communication at MIPIM in Cannes, which Erik said required 7 iPads and one of Sweden's best magicians, was on behalf of the Swedish capital of Stockholm.

I can't even imagine how much practice must have gone into making this work. Amazing.

If you're in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden then you're also in luck! The new iPad launches today in your country!

Are you getting it? Are you lining up? If you are, share your stories and pictures with us in the iMore forums! We'd love to stand in line with you and hear all about how many people are there, what the atmosphere is like, which new iPad model you're getting, and what you think of it once you've gotten it!

If you're still not sure which new iPad you want, jump over to our new iPad buyers guide and we'll help you pick the perfect iPad for you. Once you get it, jump over to our new iPad page for all the help and how-tos, and app and game reviews you need to get it set up just the way you want it!

Once that's done, dive into our new iPad forums for the best help and discussion on the 'net, so you can get the most out of your new iPad.

The new iPads higher running temperature been confirmed by scientific testing now, and addressed in a quote from Apple, but that hasn't stopped the headlines tripping all over themselves already.

Luckily, iPads will cool down when we stop downloading or stop playing, but the dumb headlines will last forever.

In the meantime, we wanted to do our own poll of the iMore Nation and find out what our community of iOS enthusiasts thought of the issue. How hot is your iPad running? And is it too hot?

Is this just one more mainstream media attempt to get Apple into a fake-gate, or is the heat a real issue that deserves attention and will need to be further addressed?

Vote in the poll up top and let me know your thoughts in the comments, and in our new iPad forums!

One of the things I most eagerly wanted in the new iPad was a better speaker. I didn't expect it, mind, you, but when some early reviewers mentioned the new iPad had the loudest speaker they've ever heard on a tablet, my ears perked up and I became very excited. That's simply because Apple thus far hasn't been willing or able to put a decent speaker into any of their mobile devices. For the company that revolutionized music with the iPod and iTunes, that's mind boggling. Yet year after year I have a hard time hearing my games and movies out of the tiny, tinny iPad speaker, and find myself cupping the speaker with my hand and craning my ear down just to make out the dialog. Sure, I could put on headphones or use a Jawbone JAMBOX -- which admittedly the iPad handles really well -- but that should be an option, not a requirement.

Back to the new iPad. After hearing that the speaker may, mercifully, be louder, I tried listening to some music and playing some videos and... I couldn't tell the difference. Both the new iPad and the iPad 2 sounded about the same to me. I turned off volume control and pushed the levels to the maximum on both and repeated the test. Still no difference.

My next step was to download an app to measure what, if any differences there might be. While not as scientific as a proper, soundproofed lab full of carefully calibrated equipment, it was enough for our real-world tests. The app I chose was Decibels [free - Download now]. I then placed my iPhone, armed with the Decibels app, a finger's width away from each iPad's speaker, and played a video.

The Decibels read out never reach 90. (Based on the car I was watching in the video, my inner geek really wants to say it never hit 88!).

To be absolutely sure, I asked Rene to repeat the same tests on his new iPad and iPad 2, and he recorded the exact same results. (So even if the app wasn't scientifically accurate, it still showed the same result for both.)

All this means that, in the end, the speaker for the new iPad isn't any louder than the speaker for the iPad 2, and to my ear there's not much, if any, difference to the sound it produces.

Given the love the camera and screen got this time, I'm now once again hoping the speaker gets it next.

Did it blow you away and make you think you were finally holding the future in your hands? Was it better than you expected your eyes not believing the quality of the Retina display or LTE speeds? Was it just what you expected, no more, no less? Did it disappoint you in some way? Or was it just simply the worst thing Apple ever spat from their cauldron?

We want to hear your take, so vote in the poll up top and then jump into our iPad forum reviews thread and give us your full take.

(Who knows, if you say something just so completely spot on, we might even have to quote you in the official iMore review!)

The new iPad has a dual core Apple A5X processor with quad core graphics, compared to a dual core Apple A5 processor with only dual core graphics in the older iPad 2. The new iPad also has twice the RAM as the old iPad 2, a full 1GB as opposed to 512MB. However, the new iPad also needs to throw around 4 times as many pixels as the old iPad 2 -- 2048 x 1536 as opposed to 1024 x 768. How does that all net out when it comes to launching amazing, Retina-ready apps like Infinity Blade II and Tweetbot, and web sites like iMore, The New York Times and the Sun Spider benchmark?

First up we launched Infinity Blade II on both the new iPad and the iPad 2, and while there's no doubt the A5X quad-core GPU will make for better gaming eventually, when it comes to raw launch tests, the results were pretty even. They both smoked the original, first generation iPad, but were fairly close to each other.

The same thing happened with Tweetbot, even though on the new iPad it had to move a much, much larger PNG file around.

When it came to loading up iMore.com on the Safari browser, the mostly CPU-intesive activities, namely the WebKit HTML5 rendering engine and the Nitro JavaScript Engine seemed to be neck-and-neck for the most part. The same was true for the New York Times site.

To make sure, we ran both browsers through WebKit's SunSpider JavaScript benchmark as well, and while the new iPad won, it wasn't by as much, certainly not as much as the iPad 2 improved on the original iPad.

The point of all this isn't that the new iPad or the Apple A5X chipset isn't a powerhouse or a great improvement -- is most assuredly is. It's just that most of that power is going to the Retina display and moving around the 2048x1536 pixels that make it up, rather than to speeding up the general performance of the device.

This the iPad 2 was snappy to begin with, that's a good thing. Instead of making something already fast even faster, Apple took this generation to make it better.

Yes, a new ipad is totally and utterly pure, unadulterated gadget porn but it had to be done. And more importantly, it finally got to be done by ME! Packaged in the simple, elegant white box we've all come to expect from Apple, and reading only "iPad", you first need to remove the plastic before you can get to the fun stuff.  A shiny iCloud sticker now decorates the box, and inside is your new iPad -- face up --  but still dark. Hold down the sleep/wake button for a few seconds and you'll get your first glimpse of the Retina display!

Underneath the face-up iPad are the usual accouterments -- the iTunes USB sync and power cable and AC adapter, which appear physically unchanged from last year's iPad 2. There are also the Apple Stickers, and little tips and tricks books in whichever languages are appropriate for the area.

I got the 32GB Black Wi-Fi model, so that what you see above -- Apple's latest and greatest tablet torn from the safety of its shipping container and shown to the world!

As fun as the unboxing was, however, now we're starting the really fun stuff -- testing it out!

Did you get your new iPad yet? if so, jump into our forums and show us your unboxing photos!

iMore Nation ASSEMBLE! This is it, folks. The Super Bowl and Oscars all rolled into one. The big spring gadget release of the year. The new iPad launch. At 8am local time (which is round about now if you're in Australia) Apple Retail Stores will be opening their doors, and UPS and Fedex trucks will start pulling into driveways, and the new iPad will finally be in the hands of our readers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and the US Virgin Islands.

While those of you who pre-ordered can wait at home, snug in your beds, those of us who simply have to have the full Apple experience will be braving the darkness, rain, snow, (and likely roving bands of Samsung-ed-ers) to line up and buy them in person.

Crowds are already forming around the world, especially at the big Apple flagship stores in New York, London, and elsewhere. Yeah, slumber party meets pizza party. Fun times!

If you're waiting by the window watching for the delivery truck, let us know where you are and when it arrives. If you're lining up at an Apple Store or reseller, let us know where you are and what's happening in line!

And the minute you get your new iPad, jump into our iPad 3 forums and share your unboxing pictures, your 3G/4G/LTE speed tests, your video and camera tests and your review of the new iPad

If you catch us in line in Montreal, Miami, or Monterey, CA, we'll be giving away special edition iMore iPad launch t-shirts. If you can't make it to one of those locations, fret not! We'll also be giving a bunch of those very same t-shirts away in the new iPad forum. Just share your thoughts and your pictures and you'll automagically be entered for your chance to win!

This is it. The go orders have been given. Bring the iPads!

Back in December I reviewed, and fell in love with, a custom backplate mod for iPhone from unYOUsual.com. Turns out they were just getting started, though. They've now sent me something extra-dimensionally sweet to look at as a follow up -- a prototype 3D Concierge. Using 7 different layers of carefully crafted, hands-on printing, unYOUusal is able to create something really amazing looking with the 3D Concierge.

Like with the standard UnYOUusual backplate, you get to pick your own custom image for the 3D Concierge. It just gets rendered with a way cooler effect than the standard glass backplate. Because it's 3D, it probably suits higher contrast images so the different shades bring about more texture and elevation.

Now, if you're worried about swapping backplates, don't be. While you should never do anything with your iPhone that makes you feel nervous or uncomfortable, swapping backplates is just about the easiest modification (mod) you can do.

The 3D Concierge compared to the standard custom backplate.

The good

• Incredible looking
• Easy mod to perform
• Customizable for unique look

The bad

• Though an easy mod, it's still a mod
• Not available for order yet (coming soon!)

The conclusion

Since Apple didn't change the design of the iPhone with the iPhone 4S, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd and show off your own individual style. Cases can provide some options but not everyone wants to cover up the stainless steel and glass of naked iPhone. Swapping the backplate lets you get the styling of a case while keeping the feel of staying naked. Having it customizable -- and in 3D! -- is just the most awesome icing on the cake.

The unYOUsual 3D Concierge Backplate for iPhone should be available soon from unYOUsual.com. We'll keep you updated!

There are really only three major options to choose between. First, do you get a black or white new iPad? Do you go Wi-Fi only or get AT&T or Verizon LTE iPad? Or Rogers, Bell, or Telus iPad up in Canada? And do you get the 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB iPad when it comes to storage?

We've got a full 2012 iPad buyers guide to help the undecided, but I want to know from those of you who've already made up your minds! Out of over 6000 members of the iMore nation, almost 38% of you told us you were buying the new iPad instantly while almost 8% said you were strongly considering it and almost 14% were thinking it over. That's a lot of new iPads come Friday, and I'm sure a lot of variety in choices and opinions.

Time to share -- which new iPad are you getting and why? Vote up top and leave a comment with the details below!

The new iPad is going to have a screen density higher than any computer but what it won't have is an actual physical keyboard. Sure, some people can type up a storm on the virtual keyboard, but for traditionalists Kensington is offering the KeyFolio Expert Multi Angle Folio & Keyboard and the KeyStand Compact Keyboard and Stand for the new iPad.

The KeyFolio Expert connects via Bluetooth and is meant for those who want the portability of the iPad but need the productivity of a physical keyboard. The "multi angle" part means the KeyFolio can adjust to suit where ever you are typing, from a table to your lap. The folio includes magnets, just like Apple's own Smart Cover, and lets you adjust the angle when open and protect your screen when closed.

The KeyStand is a less expensive alternative that's slim and easy to take with you anywhere. It also connects via Bluetooth and has a magnetic cover to protect your screen.

Both are available for pre-order now.

$109.99 - Keyfolio Expert - Pre-order now

$79.99 - Keystand - Pre-order now

DODOCase has just announced three new cases for the new iPad. Famous for the old world craftsmanship and charm they bring to the newest of the new gadgets, DODOCase is not only releasing their signature, classic case for the new iPad, but two completely new cases lines as well.

• DODOcase Classic with red, green, charcoal, or sky blue lining at $59.95.
• DODOcase Essentials in granite, meadow, Tahoe, or sand at $69.95.
• DODOcase Spring / Summer 2012 in two tone granite/poppy, meadow/lake, Tahoe/sunrise, and sand/earth for $79.95.

They've also ramped up their personalization options, so you can make your DODOCase uniquely your own, or make it special for that special someone, in either black or gold foil stamp, in three locations including the spine.

“The new iPad gives us another opportunity to continue our support and preservation of bookbinding, while allowing us to introduce an entirely new facet of our business with advanced personalization options and our Spring / Summer collections” said Patrick Buckley, co founder and Chief DODO of DODOcase. “Two years after launching DODOcase, we have built a full bookbinding operation and woodshop in San Francisco. As always, we are proud to offer crafted artisanal products that help connect tradition and technology for our customers.”

DODCase's iPad 2 case won iMore's 2011 Readers Choice Award, so needless to say, we can't wait to get our hands on the 2012 models.

Source: DODOCase

A card compartment that doubles as a stand makes the the Incipio Stowaway a convenient travel case for your iPhone.

When I first saw the Incipio Stowaway case for iPhone I thought it was ingenious. Sometimes I'm out traveling or just shopping and don't want to carry my whole bag with me, so the idea of just having a place to store a few credit cards, IDs, and or some cash is very appealing. Whether you're a lady with a purse or a guy with a wallet, you know what I mean. Sometimes less is just less!

Back to the Incipio Stowaway case. It fits both the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 and comes in black on black, blue on gray, orange on gray, and two tones of purple. It also comes in two parts -- a soft silicone core and a hard polycarbonate outer shell. That provides extra protection... but I'm not a huge fan of it in general. It almost always ends up being like a prophylactic that takes way too much time to put on perfectly. You have to literally go around all the edges and make sure they're properly positioned around and over the buttons, ports, and sides. If you don't, it just doesn't look right. I personally prefer cases where the two parts are fuzed together, they're faster and easier to take on and off.

The Incipio Stowaway case provides two layers of protection and a compartment to keep cards or cash safe while you travel

Once you have the Incipio Stowaway case properly put on, the fun begins. The entire back is a hatch (yes, like in Lost) that opens up to reveal a small area that can fit some business cards, credit cards, ID cards, or a few bills. And I have to admit, the thought of a secret hiding place does bring a smile to my inner spy girl.

The compartment hatch door also doubles as a stand that makes for convenient video watching

The hatch also doubles as a stand which works in both horizontal and vertical modes. (Of course, you have to take your cards out first or they'll fall out when you open the door to stand it on.)

The good

• Stowaway hatch is ingenious
• Hatch doubles as a stand
• Dual layers provide good protection

The bad

• Dual layers are fiddly to put on and take off
• Bulkier than a skin case

The conclusion

With a convenient compartment that not only lets you stash some cards or cash but doubles as a stand for movie watching, the Incipio Stowaway is an excellent travel case for your iPhone. While I'm not thrilled about every element of its execution, for those who like the extra protection of a dual layers design, it's a great alternative to more traditional, wallet-style cases.

$29.95 - Buy now

One of the questions we're being asked most often these days is whether or not our existing iPad 2 accessories -- particularly cases -- will work with the new iPad when it arrives on Friday. Of course we're wondering about that -- we love our accessories! While we may complain when Apple doesn't change a design, we complain just as much when they do and we have to buy new cases!

The short answer is -- it depends on the accessory or case. Some of them will work just fine with the new iPad, and some won't. Let's break that down.

The new iPad vs the iPad 2: tale of the tape

Based on the front plate size alone, the new iPad and the iPad 2 look virtually identical (with the screen off, of course). They're both 9.50 inches tall and 7.31 inches wide. The new iPad is slightly thicker, however, at 0.37 inches vs. 0.34 inches thick. It's also slightly heavier, at 1.44 pounds vs. 1.33 pounds for the Wi-Fi version, or 1.46 pounds vs. 1.35 pounds for the 3G/4G version. The new iPad also has more tapered edges than the iPad 2.

While the weight won't make a difference for most accessories, the thickness and the different tapering around the edges definitely will for many of them. That could also alter where the camera hole (if any) and headset, dock, and other button cutouts are lined up

Sleeve/pouch cases

iPad 2 Sleeve cases might fit the new iPad. They're typically cut with enough room for an iPad 2 to easily get in and out, and the more pouch like style has a far greater chance of handling the extra thickness. The difference in edge taper shouldn't be a problem for them either. Whether they're leather cases or fabric shouldn't matter. If they have specifically molded parts designed to fit tightly around the iPad 2 backplate, however, you'll probably have a problem.

Hard/protective cases

iPad 2 hard cases are usually manufactured to wrap snugly around your device to offer the most protection possible, while keeping bulk down at the same time. Unfortunately, that means both thickness and the difference in edge taper, perhaps even cutout positions, will probably be show stoppers for any of them when it comes to fitting the new iPad.

Smart Covers

iPad 2 Smart Covers, if that's what you swear by, look to be totally compatible with the new iPad. Since they only cover the identical front plate, that stands to reason.

Skins, films, and screen protectors

iPad 2 Skins, films, and screen protectors will probably fit if they're only intended and designed to cover the front of the device. Again, the new iPad looks to have an identical faceplate to the iPad 2. If they're design to cover the back and edges, because of the difference in thickness and tapering, I imagine there may be issues lining up everything perfectly around the buttons, speakers, and ports.

Weatherproof cases

iPad 2 weatherproof cases, if we're talking exclusively about the big bags designed to keep your device safe in a pool or on a beach should be perfectly fine for the new iPad as well. They're generally cut quite generously with lots of room to spare, so while it might be slightly tighter, it should be workable.

Headsets, speakers, and speaker docks

iPad 2 Bluetooth wireless headsets and speakers should work just fine with the new iPad. While the new iPad also supports the new Bluetooth 4.0 technology, it still supports the older versions as well, so no problem there.

iPad 2 wired headsets and speakers should likewise not have any problems fitting into the identical 3.5mm headset jack.

Speaker docks, however, might cause issues due to the difference in casing. Some companies might provide adapters or new connection modules to fit the new iPad, but others might not.

Keyboards and stylus

iPad 2 wireless keyboards should work just fine with the new iPad for the same reason other Bluetooth accessories "just work" -- it's the advantage of being wireless. However, if they're built into a case or a docking stand, they could definitely have problems fitting the new iPad.

iPad 2 styli should "just work" as well. Even though the new iPad has a Retina display, it's still capacitive and still works the same as the iPad 2 screen.

Chargers, cables, and stands

iPad 2 chargers and cables might be compatible. The dock connector on the new iPad is identical to past iPads, so your white Apple dock cable should work just fine, as should any other, similar cable. Apple also lists the their dock as being compatible with both the iPad 2 and the new iPad. However, other docks may not be. It will again come down to thickness and taper.

Apple doesn't list their iPad 2 10w charging cable as compatible with the new iPad 3, nor are several others listed as compatible, so there may be issues with these.

Need more help?

We're going to be keeping track of new iPad accessories and compatibility in our iPad accessories forum. If you come across any accessories that list themselves as compatible, or find any that definitely aren't, or if you simply have more questions and need some extra help, jump on over!

• New iPad accessories forum

Is it pretty much the same as iOS 5 for you? Or did it make things worse? Is your battery draining faster, are things more buggy, is performance worse, is is camera access even more annoying now?

Bottom line, how is iOS 5 working out for you?

Give us your quick answer in the poll up top and give us the details in the comments below. Make sure to include which device you're running iOS 5.1 on, and whether you did a clean install or updated, and if you updated, whether you did it via iTunes or over-the-air (OTA) right on your device.

Winner of the 2011 iMore Editors Choice Award for favorite iPad case, Pad & Quill is hard at work on a new line of products, including cases specially designed for Apple's new iPad. While there may not seem to be too many differences between last year's iPad and this year's new iPad, when you're dealing with handcrafted designs, and old world materials like wood and leather, it pays to be perfect.

While we're waiting on the new gear, Pad & Quill president Brian Holmes was gracious enough to offer iMore readers %15 off any of their existing models. That includes the Little Black Book for iPhone and iPod touch, Contega, Octavo, and The College Edition for the iPad 2, the Case for the original iPad, and the Cartella for the MacBook Air. They also have cases for both the Amazon Kindle and the Nook, if you happen to have either of those as well.

Italian bonded leather and Baltic birch abound, and the quality is off the charts. (And no, this isn't a sponsored post, we here at iMore are just huge fans of their work.)

So enjoy the teaser image up top, and check Pad & Quill out via the link below. And for this weekend only, use coupon code iMPQ12 to save 15% off your order.

UPDATE: Coupon code has expired, so no more 15% off, but the fine folks at P&Q will still honor it for a 5% discount. Awesome.

Prices variable - Shop now

iMore and the Mobile Nations team will be giving out tons of special edition, collectors item t-shirts during next week's launch of the new iPad, but for those who don't live close by, we wanted to make sure you could be part of the fun as well!

These shirts are 100% 6.1 oz, pre-shrunk cotton and feature a relaxed but tailored fit with a seamless, ribbed collar and double-needle cover-stitching. The special edition iMore rainbow logo, made in homage to the Apple logo that appeared at the end of the new iPad event, is digitally printed at a tasteful 3-inch width. Below the logo is the launch date, 12-03-16.

And yes, they're really meant to be limited edition collectors items, just like Disney movies, and once the event is over we'll be retiring them to the vault.

We'll all be wearing them on event day, so if you want yours in time, order now!

$14.95 - Order now

The SGP Linear Blitz Case for iPhone 4S and iPhone is simply beautiful and the attention to detail is exquisite. The SGP Linear Blitz Case has rounded, two metallic-looking sides. The main, top part is finished in champagne gold while the the lower portion is finished in satin sliver. The back comes in red, gunmetal gray, and black. I took a look at the red version and... my, oh my.

The gold and silver sections of the side treatment aren't just decorative, they're functional. They come up slightly higher than the edges of your iPhone to protect it should you desire to put it face down on the table. They also delineate where the SHP Linear Blitz Case comes apart. To take it off, simply remove the bottom section, slip the metal backplate out, and take off the top.

Champagne gold and sating silver sides make for an elegant two-tone look that really sets off the brushed metal back.

There are good sized cutouts for all the ports. The ones around the dock port, 3.5mm headset jack, sleep/wake button, camera, and volume controls are all well crafted and well spaced. The one around the Apple logo is just stunning. Instead of the usual circle, they've traced the edges of the logo. They've also got the same metallic finish as the edges of the case, and it really shines against the brushed red of the backplate.

The precision, diamond cut hole around the Apple logo is stunning, especially with a rainbow backplate mod

(I couldn't resist combining it with the the rainbow Apple logo backplate mod I reviewed previously. And yeah, wow.)

Now some may worry about the size of the case and it is bigger than a skin case. It's supposed to be.The SGP Linear Blitz Case isn't about minimalism. It's about protecting your iPhone and being stylish about it.

The attention to detail, fit, and finish is amazing.

The good

• Stunning looking
• Easy to put on/take off
• Apple logo cutout

The bad

• Bulkier than a skin case

The conclusion

The SGP Linear Blitz is simply one of the hottest iPhone cases I've ever seen. It's bulkier than ultra-light or feather cases, but offers more protection. The Apple logo cutout is simply amazing. If you don't mind trading a little extra size for incredible good looks, the SGP Linear Blitz Case is for you.

$31.95 - Buy now

So you've decided to take the plunge and get the new iPad and you've chosen both the carrier and the color you want, but you aren't sure which storage capacity size to go with? The difference between 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB isn't just how much stuff you can put on it, but $100-$200 in up front costs, so it's worth thinking about.

Here's the breakdown.

Price for storage

The current US prices for the new iPad are (not counting the $130 surcharge for 3G + 4G models):

• 16GB: $499 or $31.19/GB
• 32GB: $599 or $18.72/GB
• 64GB: $699 or $10.92/GB

It looks like you can pay $200 more (20% more) the price for 4x the storage, which makes the price per GB fall really fast. Still, Apple is getting you to pay $100 for an extra 16GB of storage and $200 for an extra 48GB of storage. That's not a great deal, given what SD cards go for these days. That's probably where Apple helps increase their margins.

So if giving Apple an extra dime irks you, the 16GB baseline model could be the way to go. But there are other things to consider first.

iCloud and other online storage options

iCloud gives us unlimited online storage for iTunes purchased content -- iBooks, music, movies, TV shows, and apps, and 5GB of additional storage for backups, data, etc. If that's not enough, you can pay for more.

• 10GB: $20/year
• 20GB: $40/year
• 50GB: $100/year

This might make it tempting to save some $$$ up front on onboard storage and make up for it with the free 5GB iCloud, with the option to buy more storage as a safety blanket.

It's not a crazy idea but it's important to remember that online storage isn't always as available, fast, and convenient as onboard storage. For example, you can't just play a movie from iCloud, you have to download it at the same time you watch it, which means you have to have enough space available on your iPad to handle the download. If you want to watch a lot of movies, you may have to watch, delete, watch, delete, over and over again.

iCloud also doesn't give you a file system like Dropbox or Box.net, so you can only really store what Apple lets you. If your movies and videos don't come from iTunes, iCloud is no help to you. Also, in our tests iCloud's free 5GB could get filled up pretty quickly by photos and especially videos.

So iCloud means you can get away with storing less content on your device, but you still want to have enough local storage for what you need, when you need it.

5 megapixel photos and 1080p video

Storing a lot of photos or videos on your new iPad means you'll need to have a lot of space available.

The new iPad actually has a good camera on it, and that means it takes good 5 megapixel photos and 1080p video. That also means you need room to store 5 megapixel photos and 1080p video.

For example, I take a ton of photos and videos on my iPhone 4S and with 16GB I'd quickly run out of space. Since it's a pain in the butt to have to go through and figure out what to delete if I'm not near my computer, I opted for more storage.

Unlike an iPhone, however, an iPad probably isn't your go-to camera, and isn't the camera you always have with you. In other words, I don't think most people will take and store as many photos or as much video with their iPads as they would their iPhones (or other smartphones).

That being said, I store a ton of photos and video on my iPad. It's just a great way to show and share those special moments with friends and family. If you want to keep a lot of home movies and photos available, you'll need space for them.

Content

Big games, 1080p movies, tons of TV episodes, and gigantic music collections also need a lot of space.

The other thing that can fill up our iPad quickly is content.

• Games can be big, and with the new iPad's 2048x1536 Retina display and Apple A5X processor, we might see even bigger ones with more textures and richer environments. Some games were already getting close to 1GB, how big will the Retina iPad games be?

• iTunes movies can be 1-3GB in size for SD depending on the length. If you prefer watching HD, they can be 3-5GB. If you want to take advantage of the Retina display to watch 1080p movies... Watch out.

• iTunes TV shows can be a quarter to half the size of movies, but more than make up for it by the number of episodes typically available.

• If you get your movies and TV shows from somewhere other than iTunes, you're still looking at about 400MB an hour for SD and over 1GB (sometimes way over) an hour for HD.

• Music files are generally quite small but can add up as well, especially if you have lots and lots of albums you want to keep with you everywhere.

Who should get 16GB

If you don't use a lot of apps, if you don't want to have a lot of movies and TV shows, or a huge amount of music, if you don't intend to shoot and keep very much 5 megapixel photos or 1080p video on your iPad, you'll probably be okay with 16GB.

Some people like to keep their iPads light and either stream or surf the web for content, and some people manage their photos and videos very well, transferring them to their computers regularly and reliably.

If you keep your iPad lean, you can probably save yourself some cash and get by on 16GB.

Who should get 32GB

If the iPad is your primary device, if you play games on it and watch movies and TV shows on it, if you have a decent sized music collection you want to keep with you, and if you shoot an average amount of photos and videos, 32GB is probably your sweet spot.

Some people like to have one device that, while it doesn't do everything all the time, is capable enough to do most things most of the time. As long as there's some extra space to give extra time to managing apps and content, it's a great compromise.

If you do a fair but not overwhelming amount of stuff on your iPad, your probably better off going for 32GB.

Who should get 64GB

If you're a power user who wants to keep as much as possible for as long as possible, if you have a large amount of apps and games, TV and movies, and a huge music collection you simply have to have with you all the time, or you shoot photos and video almost non stop and don't want to have to bother transferring it all the time... we'll, you've probably already ordered a 64GB iPad and cursed Apple for not giving you a 128GB option!

Some people really do want their iPad to do everything, all of the time, and never (or rarely) have to worry about running out of space. If you really feel like you need it, you probably didn't need me to tell you so, and you've already decided you're getting 64GB. Enjoy!

What if you choose the wrong size?

Remember, in most places you have time to try out your new iPad and return it if you don't like it. Make sure, as soon as possible, you put your new iPad to realistic use. Load up all the apps and games you want with you, load up your movies and TV shows, go out and take some photos and shoot some video. Give it a complete and thorough workout and see.

If it feels like you got too much storage, say 64GB and you haven't even gone past 2GB, or if you got too little, say you're already at 15GB of 16GB, then take your iPad back and exchange it for one that better suits your needs.

If you come to this realization too late, after the exchange period is over, remember you can buy additional iCloud storage, or look at other options like Dropbox which will let you keep your stuff available online and potentially free up some much needed space on your iPad.

Any questions?

If you've already decided which storage capacity is perfect for you, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB, leave a comment and let me know!

If you're still not sure, if you want advice or more opinions, just ask!

• New iPad forum

As part of their iPad event today, Apple announced their super sweet new iPad. While some may be lining up next week or pre-ordering today, some may prefer to go for a discounted iPad 2 or keep their existing model. We want to know what everyone in the iMore nation thinks of the new iPad. Will you be picking one up?

Just like the iPhone 4S, the new iPad looks a lot like the old iPad, only a tiny difference in the thickness and angle of the taper. Does that make you think twice about buying? Would a new casing design have made a difference? The new iPad did get an amazing Retina display, 4G LTE network option, a new Apple A5X processor, and a camera that finally doesn't suck (and actually looks pretty good).

Each change by itself could be dismissed as incremental (except that Retina display, that's just crazy cool). Taken together, they could just make the overall experience better enough that the new iPad goes from nice to have to must have, especially for geeks.

So what's your answer, iMore nation? Are you getting the new iPad or are you taking a pass? Vote up top and give me the details in the comments below!

Update: Poll closed. Wow were you split!

Apple TV 3 seems the next most likely, given how stock of existing Apple TV 2 units has all but disappeared from the shelves. Apple didn't refresh the Apple TV 2 last fall, so it's getting a little long in the tooth, and if the iPad 3 brings iTunes 1080p, certainly a 1080p Apple TV should come along for the ride.

The "And touch." part of Apple's iPad 3 event invitation has gotten hopes up for an iPod touch 5. Like the Apple TV, the iPod touch went through all of 2011 without a major refresh (all it got was a white option). A bump up in specs to match the iPhone 4S and Siri could be in the cards, or an increase in screen size to 4-inches or so could make for an even better mini-tablet without putting too much of a strain on that Retina display.

Speaking of mini tablets, those iPad mini rumors just won't die. (Even after Steve Jobs basically stomped them into paste.) While competing at the low end with the Amazon Kindle Fire just isn't Apple's style, selling tens of millions of additional iPads certainly is. Could they really be considering a 7- to 8-inch iPad? And could they be considering it for tomorrow?

Like Apple TVs, the Time Capsule internet router + hard drive combo Apple sells is also conspicuously absent from Apple Store shelves at the moment. It's nowhere near as sexy as the iOS devices, but with iCloud being the backbone of Apple's plans for the next decade, could there be a big surprise coming in the form of an all-new, all-iCloud enabled Time Capsule?

And then there's the 36- to 50-inch elephant -- or unicorn -- in the room. The long rumored Apple iTV Television. We've heard Apple's working on it in the labs, and Steve Jobs said he nailed the interface before he passed away. Then again, he also said the go-to-market strategy was unclear. Has it finally cleared up enough for Apple to release their television? If so, could it be tomorrow?

Finally, could there be any surprises? A stripped down iOS-powered Apple TV controller? An Apple designed car integration kit? An all-new, all amazing Apple boom box for the iOS generation?

For a full rundown of all the rumors, check out our complete iPad event preview and join us tomorrow at 10am PT, 1pm ET, 6pm GMT for commentary, coverage, analysis and more.

Now you know the drill! Vote up top and give me your full predictions in the comments below!

Nexia Home Intelligences lets you control entry to your home, and monitor it remotely from your iPhone, from anywhere

The Nexia Home Intelligence system isn't just a smart way to manage your home security but it's literally the future of home automation, in your hand, today. It lets you control your house locks, your lights, your security cameras, from wherever you are, right from your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or the web, from anywhere you have an internet connection.

Formerly known as Schlage Link, now known as Nexia, they've been in the home automation business for years and their focus and experience really shows. I tested out the Nexia Home Security Bundle, which is a great way to get started with the Nexia system. The Nexia Home Security Bundle includes the following products:

• The Nexia Bridge, which is the command center, and the brain that connects all the other home intelligence components together.

• Home Dimmer Module, which lets you control any plug-in light in your home remotely, over the internet.

• Home Keypad Lever, which lets you secure your home with a deadbolt and one or multiple programmable keycodes, as well as open or lock your door remotely.

• Home Indoor Camera, which lets you monitor the inside of your home, or watch your property out a window, right from your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.

The complete Nexia Home Intelligence lineup

Installation was simple and straight forward. If you're comfortable changing your front door lock, you'll be comfortable installing the Keypad Lever. Likewise, if you can install a home router, you can install the Nexia Bridge. (If not, buy a handy, savvy friend a pizza and beer and they'll help you get it done in no time.)

Once the hardware is in place, you'll need setup an account with Nexia (more on that later) and download the App Store app to your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Once that's done, your home security is just a button tap away.

Nexia has separate apps for both iPhone/iPod touch and iPad that let you control everything from locks to cameras to thermostats to lighting.

If the idea of controlling access to your home via a mobile device scares you, don't worry. Nexia lets you create a passcode for the app so if you lose your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad you don't have to worry about random people suddenly popping into your door. (Which is more than can be said about losing tradition keys.)

Can't find your keys? Can't see the keycode? No problem, unlock any time, from any where, with your iPhone

If you've never experienced the power of home automation before, there are a lot of cool things that you can do with it.

• If you forget to feed the cat or dog? You can call a neighbor and just unlock the door for them remotely. (And lock it again when they leave!)
• Don't want to give your in-laws a key to your house? Just make them their very own passcode that doesn't work early in the morning, late at night, or any other time surprise guests would be unwelcome. (You can even make one-time or limited duration access codes!)
• Hate coming home to a dark house? Have your lights turn on whenever you open the door. (Or log in from your iPhone and turn them on any time!)
• Worried about your teenagers throwing a party when you're away from home? Keep an eye on things remotely with the Security Cameras. (And rush home if needed!)

If you don't have your iOS device handy, you can log into your Nexia Home Intelligence system from anywhere with a web browser

The great thing about Nexia is that it's an expandable system. If you want another Dimmer Module, just buy it and add it right in. Want another deadbolt for the garage door? Same thing. It really does "just work".

Now there is one catch -- you do need a Nexia subscription for all the really cool stuff to work. It's not like an alarm company where you're paying for monitoring, with Nexia you're paying for the system itself to work. For example, neither the multiple keycodes nor the remote video cameras will work unless you're subscribed to Nexia's service. (It would be nice if you could run the cameras over your own home network if you so chose.)

The Nexia Bridge is the brains of the system, but you need an Nexia subscription to get the full set of features.

At $8.99 a month, the Nexia service isn't expensive, however, and it's well worth the functionality you get. There are no hidden fees and cancellation is an easy, painless process. There are no contracts, no risks, and Nexia offers a one month trial subscription to make sure you like the service before you start paying for it. That's excellent.

Nexia doesn't do everything yet -- you can't control all aspects of your home. There is a thermostat component, for example, so you can set your temperature remotely, but it would be great to support everything from the living room to the kitchen to the garden. One day, perhaps?

The good

• Easy to install
• Provides powerful remote access
• Expandable to suit your needs
• Reasonably priced

The bad

• Can't be run on your own network
• Needs more/different types of components

The conclusion

Nexia Home Intelligences lets you control entry to your home, and monitor it remotely from your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, from anywhere. It's a great way to get started with home automation, and the Security Bundle is a great way to get started with Nexia. If you've always dreamed about controlling your house from your iPhone, stop dreaming -- it's a reality!

$489.99 - Security Bundle - Buy now

Variable - Nexia on Amazon - Buy now

In terms of hardware, a Retina display seems like a sure thing now, right? But what about a quad-core processor? Do they need it to compete or could they stay dual-core for another generation? How about more RAM and 128GB of storage? Nice to have or must have? Do they need 4G LTE speeds? Just in the U.S. or internationally? I doubt I'll get better speakers any time soon, but what about better cameras? Is 5mp enough or do they need to go to 8pm like the iPhone? And is there any chance at all the rumor mill missed a form-factor redesign this time around?

Likewise for the iPad 3 software. Does Apple simply have to bring Siri to the iPad 3, or can they leave it exclusively for the iPhone 4S? Will 1080p support come not only to the video player but to iTunes as well? Does FaceTime on the iPad need to let us do conference calls? How about FaceTime over 3G/LTE? And which apps will get the Apple spotlight at the event? Any chance of a new version of iMovie or even Final Cut Pro X for the iPad? What about iPhoto or even Aperture on that Retina display? Could Microsoft really be on stage showing off Office for iPad? And is there any way Apple has a Home screen (Springboard) redesign ready to surprise us with, or will we have to wait on iOS 6 for something that big?

Give us your best guesses, but remember, this is not what you want in an iPad 3, but what you actually think Apple will do on March 7. Vote in the poll up top and give me the details in the comments below. Ready... Go!

The iHealth Dock is the perfect accessory for any iPhone or iPad owner who wants or needs to measure their blood pressure or heart rate.

The iHealth Blood Pressure Dock works with any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to help health conscious individuals or families better and more easily keep track of their blood pressure and heart rate. It consists of both the accessory itself, which includes the dock, a cuff, and charging and connecting cords, and an App Store app, iHealth BPM, that allows you to test, track, graph, and share your blood pressure and heart rate.

Setup is easy. You plug the dock into to charge, and either use it while plugged in, or let it charge and then take anywhere you need to go. The mobility is excellent. Once you've downloaded the app to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, plug your iPhone into the dock and place the cuff around your arm. You want the cuff roughly at the level of your heart. (I do my ZEN and TECH-style deep breathing whenever I take measurements to make sure my stress level doesn't overly affect the results.)

Just tap the button on the app to start. The iHealth Blood Pressure Dock will tell you the range of your results, and it's very easy to share the information if you so choose. It's also very easy to review your history and you can even graph the results to help you better visualize them.

Setting up iHealth is incredibly easy. Just plug in the dock, wrap on the cuff, and tap the button on the app.

The cuff measures using the oscillometric method, with automatic inflation up to pressure levels of 295mmHg, measurement ranges of 45-250mmHg, and with an accuracy of ±3mmHg. Pulse range is 40-180 beats per minute with an accuracy of ±5%. That's good enough for me for home use (but if you have any concerns, please check with your doctor).

As with any accessory, you only get out of it what you put into it. I left the iHealth Blood Pressure Dock in the bathroom so it was easy to see and I was reminded to use it before I brush my teeth. Creating good habits is important.

For anyone that's hypertensive or has high blood pressure or a heart condition, it's a wonderful accessory.

The iHealth BPM app lets you effortlessly run tests, track results for you and your family, and share with your health-care professional.

iHealth also shows just how powerful our iPhones and iPads can be, opening up access to technology that used to be only available at health-care facilities. Their ease of use and their ability to display information enables us to do more right at home than ever before. I'm really, really excited to see just how far these types of accessories can be taken, and how far our iPhones and iPads can take us.

The good

• Easy to setup, easy to use
• Companion app is excellent
• Measures heart rate as well
• Warns you if measurements are in unhealthy range
• Dock doubles as charger

The bad

• Cuff cord is too short

The conclusion

The iHealth Dock is the perfect accessory for any iPhone or iPad owner who wants or needs to measure their blood pressure or heart rate. If you have a medial condition or stress-related issues, or you know someone who does, the iHealth Dock and its companion app are definitely something you should consider.

$89.23 - Buy now

Withings is a simple, beautiful way to keep track of your weight and BMI right on your iPhone or iPad and achieve your health goals!

The Withings Wi-Fi Body Scale brings new, highly mobile technology to bear on an age old task -- keeping track of your weight over time. We've had scales in one form or another for years. The old analog scales that you stepped on and watched the needle move across the numbers in joy or horror. The big, white doctor's scale that they tapped into place to measure both height and weight. The digital scales with the big red numbers that held your hopes in their flashing lights. Those all measured our weight, but they didn't keep track of our weight. We were left to scribble or type in the measurements on our own, and as we all know, the requirement for manual recording creates a remarkable point of failure.

Withings does all that heavy lifting for you. You set it up, step on it, and it records everything you need, and sends it to your iPhone or iPad for easy tracking at any time. And it isn't just limited to tracking your weight. It can track your whole family.

The set up part is easy and the instructions clear and concise. There's some assembly required, mainly attaching the little plastic feet. Then you plug in the scale to your computer over USB, setup the Wi-Fi connection, create a Withings account, and you're good to go. Each Withings scale can handle up to 8 family members or users, and for privacy reasons each can have his or her own account.

The Withings Wi-Fi Body Scale comes with everything you need to get started, including batteries, setup instructions, a USB cable, and a measuring tape

Once you're set up, just start using it as you would any traditional scale. Now, it does take a while to give a reading, sometimes a little too long. It measures your BMI (Body Mass Index) as well as your weight. Though these aren't the most accurate types of BMI readings, the consistency and convenience easily overcome those concerns.

Withings works like any other scale. Step on. Get your weight. Get your BMI. But then it beams all that information to the cloud so you can access it from your iPhone, iPad, or the web at any time!

Since this is an online product, Withings of course has all the social sharing options you'd expect. You can choose to share with no one, or if you so choose, with your doctor, personal training, or even the entire world via Twitter. While I supposed public sharing might encourage you through peer pressure, it's not something I'd ever turn on. Smartly, privacy is well considered overall by Withings. For example, you may see people Tweeting their Withings weight, but it's not enabled by default.

You can track, share, and enhance your progress on the iPhone or iPad using any number of popular health and fitness apps/

Withins also works with a good variety of other, popular health and fitness apps and services, including Fitbit, Gym Technik, Run Keeper, Weightbot, Endomondo, their own WiScale app, and many others. Along with goal setting -- and an understand of how to set realistic, attainable goals -- this helps you keep yourself accountable, stay motivated, and get healthier.

The good

• Makes tracking your weight and BMI a breeze
• Supports up to 8 users with good privacy controls
• Accessible from iPhone, iPad, and web
• No subscriptions or recurring costs
• Works with many other popular services and accessories
• Stunning looking

The bad

• Not the most accurate form of BMI measure
• Costs more than a regular scale (obviously)

The conclusion

If you care about tracking your weight and your BMI, then the Withings Wi-Fi Body Scale is absolutely the best way to do it. It's easy to set up, stunningly good looking, and interfaces not only with your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, but with a lot of other popular health and fitness services and equipment as well. Taking care of yourself is hard enough. Eat right, sleep right, and exercise hard. Let Withings take care of keeping track and keeping you on track.

$159 - Buy now

[Note: Amazon looks to be temporarily out of stock, you can also shop directly at Withings and checkout using Amazon and other methods.]

Would it be better ways to fight scam apps so the App Store isn't littered with fakes, ripoffs, and other junk that make good apps even harder to find? Should Apple just get more reviewers and do a better job curating the App Store? How about a demo period, where we could return apps within a day, heck, even 15 minutes, of discovering we were ripped off could go a long way to taking the money -- and hence the incentive -- out of the scams. It would also probably thin out the paid crap apps as well, if less than ethical developers knew customers could return them.

Is better search the answer? Apple just bought Chomp, supposedly to improve discoverability. Do you want social sharing, so your friends and people you follow can help you find the good stuff (no Ping for apps joke, please!).

What about ways to help good developers make more money so they're encouraged to make better apps and games? Right now they have to give away upgrades for free or make a separate app and charge us again. How about paid upgrades as a fair middle ground? How about a premium section in the app store so higher production value apps and games aren't pitted again $0.99 or freemium apps in the top 10 lists?

Or do you want to go completely in the opposite direction and have Apple curate even less, so more stuff comes in, good and bad, but the choice is yours? Maybe just expand the content with an adult section for more mature titles, or a theme store where you could buy whole new looks for your iPhone or iPad?

If you had to pick one thing you'd want Apple to change about the App Store more than anything else in 2012, what would it be?

On one hand it's a bold move, dumping something everyone's familiar with for something new, which is very typically Apple. On the other hand, it's not dumping it for something really, truly new, like Palm-style inductive wireless charging.

While a lot of accessories would continue to work as long as they or Apple provided an adapter, some might not, and then you'd have to buy them again. And if you have a lot of accessories or even cables, it's either impractical to get an adapter for each one, or annoying to keep having to switch the adapter.

Rene laid out a good case for why Apple could be getting ready to pull the trigger on a smaller dock connector, so now we want to hear what you think about it. Do you want Apple to ditch the current dock? Pro or con or couldn't care less?

The Zooka Wireless speaker bar is a cool Kickstarter project that aims, though a mix of Bluetooth technology and cool design, to bring high quality audio to your iPad.

Just last night on iPhone and iPad Live I went on another rant about how Apple is paying a lot of attention to iPhone, and maybe iPad, cameras, but almost none to iPhone and iPad speakers. I still have to cup my hand and crane my ear to hear anything in an even moderately noisy room. Apple has to pay some attention to music lovers at some point -- they invented the iPod after all! -- but until then, Zooka looks like a great alternative.

Zooka promises 5 times the sound of the iPad speaker and comes in a variety of colors including orange, yellow, blue, brown, gray, and black -- and a glow in the dark special edition. It will run for 8+ hours on a single charge of its lithium ion battery, and is made out of medical grade silicone so its light and resilient.

While it looks made for the iPad, it will work with any device that has Bluetooth, including the iPhone, iPod touch, your Mac or Windows PC, and even has 3.5mm jack for non-Bluetooth devices.

The Kickstarter project is already funded but there's still 24 days to go if you want to get in at the startup price.

Check out the videos below (bonus points for the Veronica Mars song!) and if you like it, head on over to Kickstarter to pledge. I know I can't wait to try it out.

Source: Kickstarter via TUAW

"The Mujjo fisheye is a great little novelty lens that's cute, small, easy to carry, and a lot of fun to play around with, especially for kids."

The Mujjo fisheye lens is an incredibly inexpensive way to try out fisheye photography on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad -- or almost any smartphone or tablet. A fisheye lens is designed to take extremely wide-angle pictures, so wide that it becomes almost spherical for still photographs. That means, however, you can get a lot more content -- people, scenery, etc. -- into a shot than is possible with a standard lens. It also means that pictures are often warped to almost comical levels. But that's really the point.

With this Mujjo, it's not about the quality of the glass or the "I can't believe it's a camera phone" pictures -- it's about having fun. If the best camera is the one you have with you, and your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad is what you have with you, that's great, but it can also get a little boring at times. That's where the Mujjor fisheye comes in. It's not for high-end photographers (they've already got lenses that cost more than the iPhone!), but for people who want to experiment, add a little spice, and switch things up from the regular old Camera app shots.

It's also adorable. Available in green, blue, white, red and black, the Mujjo fisheye comes with a stretchy, bungee style cord that lets you easily attach to a keychain or anywhere convenient so you have it with you and don't need to worry about it getting lost. It attaches to your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad with a gummy type adhesive that keeps it reasonably well attached without leaving unsightly residue on your precious mobile device.

To take a fishey picture, just stick the Mujjo onto your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and use the built in Camera app or any App Store app you like -- Instagram would be a really fun choice!

You can fit way more into the picture with a Mujjo fisheye lens... even if it does warp around you.

You'll notice right away that you can fit a lot more into the picture, even if it's massively distorted. Video is a little different, however. Because the iPhone 4S crops the capture size down to 1080p, and the iPhone 4, iPad 2, and iPod touch 4 crop it down to 720p, you only get the middle of the fisheye effect. That makes video look much less warped than photos but still fits much more in the frame.

Again, it's not a high end lens, it's just a lot of fun to play around with, a great way to get started to see if you like specialty lenses, and something especially fabulous and inexpensive to let kids play around with.

The good

• Inexpensively priced
• Cute design
• Highly portable
• Works with any smartphone or tablet

The bad

• Sticky backing needs to be kept clean from lint and dust
• Not a high quality lens

The conclusion

The Mujjo fisheye is a great little novelty lets that's cute, small, easy to carry, and a lot of fun to play around with, especially for kids. It works with the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, or any smartphone or tablet, and is a cheap way take your mobile photography in a new direction.

It's not for pros, but it is for anyone just starting out, and would make a great novelty gift, stocking stuffer, loot bag treat, or just rainy day surprise.

€9.95 - Buy now

For more on iPhone photography, check out:

• How to take better pictures with your iPhone
• Photography help and discussion forum

Giveaway

We've got some Mujjo's to give away! Leave a comment below telling us what you'd like to photograph with a fisheye and you're entered for a chance to win!

"Both iKlenz and eScreen removed fingerprints, smudges, oil, and grime with a minimum of effort and left my iPhone and iPad with clean, clear, gorgeous-looking screens."

Whether you're rocking an iPhone 4S or iPad 2, or a previous generation iPhone, iPad or iPad touch, there's just no getting around one simple truth -- they're fingerprint magnets. What's more, since fingerprints come with oil, food, dirt, and who-knows-what-other substances all over them, you're device's screen can often turn into a sticky, icky mess. Enter iKlenz cleaning solition and eScreen flat panel cleaner, both contenders to the title of best iOS device cleaning solution. But which one is the best?

iKlenz and eScreen are specially engineered cleaning solutions for exactly the types of large, glass displays found on iPhones, iPads, iPod touches, and other, similar gadgets. (Including your computer's display.) These aren't glass cleaners either, and eScreen, for example, states that it's ecofriendly and silicone, ammonia and alcohol free, so you don't have to worry about it damaging the oleophobic (oil repelling) coating of your iPhone or iPad. iKlenz also says it works as a disinfectant to destroy bacteria and germs.

Both come in small squirt bottles so they're easy to store or even carry around with you, and both iKlenz and eScreen include micro-fiber cloths, though eScreen's is both larger and more plush. eScreen also comes with a nice cloth carrying pouch while iKlenz comes in a cardboard box.

To put them to the test, literally side-by-side, I dirtied up my iPhone 4S as best as possible -- fingerprints galore! -- and then divided the screen right down the middle. I applied 2 squirts of iklenz on one side and 2 squirts of eScreen on the other, and then compared how many wipes it took to get each side spotless, and the quality of the cleaning when it was done.

Both iKlenz and eScreen come with micro-fiber cloths, though eScreens is bigger and more plush

The good

• Cleans better than a dry cloth
• Dries faster and is safer to use than a damp cloth
• Provides better, streak-free, finish
• Includes micro-fiber cloth

The bad

• More expensive than plain cloth

The conclusion

In my tests, iKlenz and eScreen performed equally well. Both iKlenz and eScreen removed fingerprints, smudges, oil, and grime with a minimum of effort and left my iPhone and iPad with clean, clear, gorgeous-looking screens. The full retail price for both is also the same (though at the time of this writing the iMore Store is offering a better sale price on eScreen).

So it comes down to the extras to break the tie, and with a bigger, softer micro-fiber cloth and the bonus carrying pouch, this time eScreen comes away with the win and the title. eScreen is currently the best cleaning solution for your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

iKlenz - $17.95 - Buy now

eScreen - $14.95 - Buy now

Apple traditionally put the iPad up for sale on Fridays, at least they have the first two years with the original iPad and iPad 2. But which Friday?

Will it be the same week as the event, only two days later on March 9? Will they need a week to coordinate, and aim for March 16? Will they want time for pre-orders and wider distribution and go on March 23? Or will they make us wait until the end of the month and hit March 30?

And will it, once again, be U.S. only at first, or will they be more aggressive, like the iPhone 4S launch, and hit more countries, faster?

Vote in the poll up top and share your predictions in the comments below!

There's no word on Siri, Apple's voice controlled assistant, for Mac yet, but then again there's no word on Siri for iPad 3 yet either.

Apple is taking their time and doing what they do best -- seeding interest and creating buzz. They're excellent at it, just look at all the coverage they're getting this morning without even holding one of their famous keynotes!

And we want to know how its working.

If you're a Mac user, is this a no-brainer, instant-update for you when it's available, or would you rather Apple kept OS X and iOS separate and distinct?

If you're a Windows user, does anything you've seen today tempt you to make the switch to Mac, or does the idea of iOS-style stuff on your desktop make you even less likely to make the change?

If you're undecided, if you're waiting to see more, what precisely would Apple have to do to win you over to Mountain Lion?

You know the drill, vote in the poll above and give us your thoughts in the comments below!

Cydia is the jailbreak app store -- the place to get all the great, useful, functional programs that for various reasons Apple doesn't allow in the official iTunes App Store, like in-app SMS, themes that change the look of your entire phone, quick toggles for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings, and much, much more. But whether you're new to the iPhone or to jailbreak, or have been hacking your gear since day one, you know Cydia can be as much pain as pleasure. You can find the most amazing utilities, themes, tweaks, and apps there - but buying them can sometimes cause way more frustration than fun.

Now, I fully realize that by jailbreaking my iPhone 4S I've classified myself as a power user who's chosen to jump through hoops go the extra mile to get some of my apps outside of Apple's official app store. But while waiting for the iPhone 4S jailbreak, and living with a stock iPhone for a week, I was reminded of the sheer difference in user experience between the App Store and Cydia. I went over this already on the first episode of our Apps & Accessories Live podcast, but here's the gist.

Buying an app on the App Store

Buying from the App Store is as simple as tapping the price, typing your password, and tapping OK.

1. See an app you want
2. Tap the price tag
3. Enter your iTunes password
4. Get the app

That's it. Sure, tapping the price tag isn't always intuitive for new users (a big BUY or DOWNLOAD button would be easier). Sure, you had to set up the iTunes account and decide to trust Apple with your credit card information. But once that's done, aside from having to verify you credit code if you use a new device, you're good to go. If you have multiple devices, like an iPad and iPod touch, or you upgrade to a new device, you just re-download the app. It couldn't be easier. It makes buying a snap, especially impulse buying.

Buying an app on Cydia

With Cydia you have to login to your account via Google or Facebok (even if you don't like either service)

And login separately to pay via Amazon or Paypal, which sometimes has errors and sends you back to the beginning

1. See an app you want
2. Tap to buy
3. Choose to login with a Google or Facebook account
4. Login with your email and password
5. Choose to pay with Amazon or Paypal
6. Login with your Amazon or Paypal account
7. Hope the app recognizes the payment, if not, try to restore the license
8. Sometimes re-spring the Springboard (iOS Home screen system)

On the surface it may seem only twice or three times as complex, but what the simple list could easily be expanded with:

1. Trying to figure out what to do if, like me, you've consciously decided not to have a Google or Facebook account due to privacy concerns. (I ultimately made a Google account just for Cydia and for Google's strong-arm Google+ authorship drive.)
2. Sometimes being thrown back to the very beginning of the buying process, over and over again, when something goes wrong with the payment process (why can't it just send me back to the payment screen?)
3. Sometimes having a huge struggle getting the app to realize you've paid for a license
4. The problems often associated with changing devices, like when you get a new iPhone, and trying to use a previous license.

Now you can choose to pre-authorize a certain amount via Amazon, if that's your preferred checkout option, but that really only delays the inevitable.

And still that doesn't cover the apps that choose not to be part of the Cydia system.

I recently tried to buy IntelliScreenX to check out it's iOS 5 integration. The process was so labored, so error-prone, I ultimately gave up and waited and calmed down for several days before going back to try again. (And sent Rene a string of incredibly angry text messages in between fully laying out my frustration at the process.)

Not only does it absolutely discourage me from impulse buys (good for me, bad for developers), it discourages me from any buys (bad for everyone).

Again, I understand that by jailbreaking and buying jailbreak apps, I'm stepping outside the Apple eco-system and the ease of use it provides. I also understand the Herculean task Saurik, the creator of Cydia, tackles every day in making and improving the Cydia app store.

Maintaining a user account system isn't easy. Having a checkout system isn't easy. Getting developers the money they deserve and protecting apps from unlicensed use isn't easy.

But the current process is still too hard and often too frustrating.

Time for Cydia to strike back

Figuring out a way to store the user-account on-device would be a good step. If Google or Facebook force a timeout, investigating a Cydia account system proper would be a great alternative. Storing the associated payment system username would further reduce the friction (not the password, of course). And if a problem occurs, returning the user to the previous screen, not the very beginning of the process, would be a huge improvement.

I love my jailbreak. I lasted 6 days with a stock iPhone 4S before I jailbroke. I love the ability to customize my phone -- to make my device work the way I want it to work. I love Cydia and all the great apps it gives jailbreak users access to.

I'm offering these criticisms and sharing these experiences because I love it so much, and really hope it gets even better. We've been hearing whispers about improvements coming to Cydia for a while now, so hopefully those will be released and address a lot of what's mentioned above.

iOS 5 stole a lot of ideas from jailbreak. It's jailbreak's turn to strike back!

It's Valentine's Day, and as Rene proved in song iMore can easily be pronounced just like the Italian word for love, amore! So in that spirit we have a link back to our Valentine's gift guide for you, to help keep you in your special someone's good graces (and off the couch!), as well as a special edition ZEN and TECH podcast to help you make all the right moves (and stay out of the dog house!). So pour yourself a tasty beverage, curl up with your iPhone or iPad, and get ready to get ready for romance!

• iPhone and iPad gifts for Valentine’s Day

ZEN and TECH 34: Sex and dating tips for Valentine's day

Georgia and Rene discuss sex and dating tips for Valentine's day, whether you're single, broken up, just starting a new relationship, ready to get serious, or been together forever and looking for new ways to re-light the sparks. This is ZEN and TECH.

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

Hosts

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

Contact

You can reach all of us @ZENandTECH, via email at podcast@zenandtech.tv, or leave a comment below!

Thanks everyone, you're the best community on the web and we love having you with us!

Disclaimer

While Georgia is a therapist, she's not YOUR therapist. Everything said or implied on this show is for informational and entertainment purposes only. And shouldn't be taken in any way as a replacement for proper, professional care.

Credits

Music is Peace on Earth by wellman.

The iCade 8-Bitty retro wireless game controller for iPhone and iPad is enough to make anyone's inner gaming geek run screaming for the order now button. Sadly, it won't be available until later in the year, but it shows just how meaningful iOS has become for old school gaming lovers. All the great games, all the nostalgia of our youth, all the greatest hits from Atari, Sega, Namco, and others are now available on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, and thanks to accessories like those from the iCade line, we can enjoy many of them in beautifully crafted arcade cabinets, or soon, with this retro style controller.

The 8-Bitty will have 8 buttons, 4 on the face, select, start, and two shoulder buttons for easy blasting. There's a D-Pad for movement, and it will automatically go into power saving mode when not in use. It's compatible with the same games that already support iCade, including PAC-MAN and over 100 classic Atari games on iPad, like Missile Commander, and even MAME emulators if you've jailbroken. (You can see the full list of currently supported games via the link below.)

It will retail for $24.99 from ThinkGeek, and we'll keep you posted on a release date.

Apple's own Smart Covers, those of the magnet power, are ultra slim but don't provide much protection for anything other than the screen. Are you waiting for an iPad 3 version? Or do you want something more extreme like the Otterbox Defender and Incipio Destroyer?

Maybe thinner skin cases like the Incipio Hive HoneyComb or cases that offer nice extras like the Case-Mate Pop! with a kickstand (one of my favorites -- great for watching videos!) better suit your fancy?

Some iPad cases include built-in Bluetooth keyboards, which are great for heavy-duty typists. Is that more your thing?

Will you be sticking with something even slimmer, like BodyGuardz skins, which don't stop impact but, in our torture tests stop everything from stones and nails scratching your iPad 3?

Are you more the executive type who enjoys a leather case or pouch, like the Marware or Griffin Elan, to take your iPad 3 on business trips or to meetings? Or someone who goes to the beach, on hikes, or to the pool and wants a case like the Aquapac or Overboard that can protect your iPad from water damage (or deep water or car washes, or dish washers and boat races)

Do you prefer something more unique and luxurious, like Pad & Quill or DODOCase that give you that hipster moleskin vibe, or White Diamonds that showers your iPad 3 in art and crystals?

Or will you stick with nothing at all, just the iPad 3 the way nature and Jony Ive intended?

One thing is for sure -- if history is any indicator we'll be flooded with options just as soon as the manufacturers can crank them out. So go ahead and get your vote in early. Register it 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!

• iMore iPad Case Store
• Amazon iPad cases

Rene recently wrote an editorial about the current controversy surrounding Apple and the working conditions in the Chinese factories where Apple -- and almost every other consumer electronics company -- has their products made. It was a nice editorial, but I disagree with it completely. Well, almost completely. I do agree that it's an important issue and that the discussion is good. He took a position and argued it well, that China was the story, and Apple merely link-bait. And it's that position I disagree with.

First of all, just because almost every other consumer electronics company uses the same factories in no way lets Apple off the hook. If anything, it just means those hooks are awfully crowded.

Each and every one of those companies, including Apple, are accountable for their own actions, or lack of action, concerning the working conditions in the factories where their products are made.

If Apple were to pull out of these factories, it's true that a lot of other companies would remain, but so what? Apple will have done something, and even more pressure could be exerted on the ones that remained, and they'd look even worse because they remained.

Change often comes from a single, courageous act that disrupts the status quo and sets into motion a new course of action that others simply must follow.

If staying engaged proves to be a better strategy, however, Apple could still be a greater agent for change. They could see to it workers were paid more, for example, or insist upon more reasonable working schedules.

Of course, Apple can't just give the factories more money. It would likely disappear long before it reached the workers, as money often seems to. But Apple could make worker wages a condition of their contracts. It would take time, and require enormous oversight to make sure the factories followed through, but it would be worth it.

Apple makes incredible profits. That's their job as a company. Using those profits to elevate the wages of Chinese workers isn't a net loss, however. It's an investment. Just like Henry Ford insisted on paying his workers enough so that, one day, they could become his customers, Apple would one day benefit from the more rapid establishment of greater customer base in China.

Yes, we in the Western world went through our own industrial revolution, and the working conditions were deplorable, but now we have labor laws and minimum wage, access to health insurance or health care. Unemployment and homelessness remain a huge problem, of course, and there's suffering and abuse of the system to be sure. But in general we as a society face a far, far higher standard of living than that facing Chinese factory workers.

And it's not okay to exploit that difference.

When the media reports on Apple's role in the Chinese factory system, when organizations plan protests, rather than say it's link-bait or opportunism, I see it as a call to action.

Apple is one of the wealthiest and most influential companies in the world. With that money and power comes responsibility. While having razor-thin profit margins certainly doesn't excuse the Dells or HPs, having hefty profit margins absolutely puts the burden on Apple to lead the way. They can afford to pay more. Customers like me might even be proud to know that Apple is paying more.

I buy fair trade coffee. I'd certainly buy an iPad proudly produced by fair labor.

Things won't change over night. They never do. The people who run the factories in China won't wake up tomorrow and suddenly start paying their workers better, or start making their working conditions more palatable.

But demanding change will make it come faster.

The more the media reports on working conditions in China, the more people are informed about it, the more the outcry that follows, the more companies like Apple fear the bad press and public perception, the more their brand or reputation suffers, the more they're motivated to take action, to speed up the change.

Apple gets the spotlight because of their size and their impact. They dent the universe. Instead of just denting it with better phones or newer tablets, why don't they really wind up and dent it by making lives better?

Tim Cook purportedly said, in response to these stories, that Apple "cares about about every worker in their worldwide supply chain."

Great. It's time for them to prove it.

The ONE PODCAST TO RULE THEM ALL returns tonight. Be there!

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!

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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

Also, if you're joining us for mobile nations fitness month, and your exercise of choice involves walking or hiking in rainy, snowy, or wet regions, the OverBoard is perfect to help keep your iPad safe and protected. If Swimming or water sports are your thing, while I wouldn't suggest actually taking your iPad in with you, the OverBoard can keep your iPad from getting wet while your review or record your progress.

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!