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Apple has been forced to remove all 3G-enabled iOS devices from its online store in Germany, including the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPad 2 WiFi + 3G, due to an injunction won by Motorola Mobility. Foss Patents reports:

iOS 5.1 beta 3, which was released to developers today, restores the missing 3G toggle Apple removed in the initial 5.1 developer beta.

The restoration of the 3G toggle will no doubt be a welcomed return for iPhone users with inadequate 3G access in their area, or for users who just want to conserve a little extra battery life.

Still, this makes us wonder why they removed the 3G toggle in the first place. Could Apple be planning to make this optional between wireless networks with a per-network proprietary carrier update file?

BRG say they have confirmation from sources close to Apple that the next iPhone will be released in the fall of 2012, bringing in a completely new design with an iPhone 3GS-like bezel and all-aluminium back.

According to Digitimes, Apple has already begun the certifying process of components for the next generation iPad 3. Some have already gained certification such as Radiant Opto-Electronics for LED backlight units.

If you have a burning desire to make phone calls or send SMS messages on your iPad 3G, you'll be happy to know that a group by the name of iPhoneIslam has demonstrated a jailbreak application that enables calls, SMS and FaceTime via phone number on an iPad 3G.

The hack will be called PhoneItiPad and should be available in the Cydia app store before WWDC. The hack requires no additional hardware but you obviously need a jailbroken iPad 3G. This means no iPad 2 support until there is a jailbreak released for that.

Once installed you get an iPhone dialler screen which unfortunately is just the iPhone version blown up 2x. It does look a little ropey; they are working on a full resolution version for this. SMS messages do work perfectly in full screen mode on the iPad. The demo video shows how it all works and it does look like a handy feature to have.

Take a look at the demo video after the break. Then pop back here and let us know if you would welcome the ability to use your iPad 3G as a phone?

[iClarified]

One of MacRumors readers has supposedly managed to get an email response from Apple CEO, Steve Jobs regarding the recent location tracking controversy. 

The question:

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The iCade arcade cabinet has just received clearance from the FCC and is now available to pre-order. The iCade is an accessory for your iPad, which turns it into a retro arcade machine and features an old style joystick, six numbered buttons and two enter buttons. The iPad slots inside the casing and connects to the control system via Bluetooth, hence the need for FCC clearance.

Flashback to the glory days of gaming with iCADE! iCADE brings arcade gaming to life by integrating your iPad into an authentic, arcade-style cabinet complete with joystick and buttons! Impress your friends, family and co-workers with iCADE's great-looking retro design, and then challenge them for high-scores on the most entertaining iPad accessory imaginable! iCADE's specially designed cradle ensures safe loading and unloading of your iPad, while also providing a solid, secure fit even during the most intense game-play sessions.

The iCade comes with Atari’s Asteroids and nine other arcade games; more importantly, it works with the recently released Atari Greatest Hits.  Put these two together and you can have an awesome arcade type experience matched with retro styling.

The iCade is available to pre-order from GameStop for $99 and will be released on May 31. There is a video after the break showing the iCade in action.

Any of our readers planning on picking one of these up? Let us know what you think in the comments!

[wireless goodness]

Adobe has just launched its Adobe TV Mobile portal which is now optimised for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Adobe TV is a great source of tutorials for Adobes catalogue of products. With this update you can now watch the how-to videos on your iOS devices. Adobe claim that a mobile version of the site was the number one request from its audience so Flash arguments aside, Adobe has gone ahead and delivered the content to iOS users.

Youngsters in Auburn, Maine may soon be using iPad 2’s in their early years of learning. The district has just spent over $200,000 on 285 of the latest Apple tablets. The committee that governs the schools in the Maine, Auburn district, voted in favor of using iPad’s to assist children with their early years of education.

The $200,000 cost for the iPad’s also includes insurance, educational software and other training costs. The program will begin as a pilot in May, with a full rollout at the start of the next school year. The rollout will eventually cover all six elementary schools in the small community.

Google has released an update to its ebook reading application Google Books. The update mainly offers support for landscape reading mode on the iPad but does include a few extra features and bug fixes.

Some of the new features include the “Find” feature, which shows matched words throughout the book when you scroll. Also, you can automatically sign in to Google when you tap “Get eBooks”.

Bug fixes cover speed improvements, 3-D page turning for the iPad on iOS 4.3 and above and a better downloading experience.

Do any of our readers use Google Books? Let us know in the comments!