One of our sources has confirmed that AppleCare+ will be offered on iPads starting today for $99. It will cover accidental damage up to 2 replacement incidents with the same $49 deductible.

AppleCare+ must be purchased at the same time you purchase the device. The difference between a basic AppleCare plan and AppleCare+ is that it will cover accidental damage as well. If you damage your iPad without AppleCare+, you'll have to pay Apple's standard replacement pricing to receive a new device. At that point you'll again have the opportunity to add AppleCare+ to the replacement device. You'll then have 1 incident remaining on your account if you opt to purchase it on the replacement iPad.

AppleCare+ for iPhone extends repair coverage and technical support to two years from the original purchase date of your iPhone and adds coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage due to handling, each subject to a $49 service fee.

Source: Apple

The two-year AppleCare protection plan now comes standard on iPads purchased in China. In all other countries, the iPad comes with a one-year warranty for repairs and 90 days of telephone support. AppleCare extends this warranty and support to two years and can be purchased for an additional $99. Why is China so special?

The Chinese government has classified the iPad as a laptop computer, and in China, it is required by law that a two-year warranty be included with the purchase of any computer. This is extremely interesting because there have been many debates on whether the iPad is "good enough" to replace a computer or laptop. China says "yes!"

Anyone think that 2 year plan should be standard internationally?

[Bloomberg]

What's the best way to get Apple to do a non-warranty repair on your bricked or broken iPhone or iPad? Simple: tell the truth.

I have seen all kinds of schemes cooked up by people who have done something ill-advised to their devices. They have a strategy. They know how to fool the liquid sensors. They have a story for the dent they couldn't pound out. They play innocent when their product is mysteriously bricked. They have a plan for every contingency.

When all else fails, they make noise, complain to the manager, write angry letters to SJ and the media. Finally, they post on internet forums and try to win in the court of public opinion. Well, I'm here to tell you, there is a better way.

Last night, I called the local Apple store to tell them I had bricked my iPad. I made it clear that it was my fault. They told me to go ahead and bring it in anyway and made an appointment for that night.

When I was called, I repeated that it was bricked because of something that I did, and just hoped they could reset it. They gave me no guarantees, but promised to try, and try, they did. After about an hour, they told me that it was as good as fried. I thanked them and did my best to hold it together.

The rep was not done talking. She said they would consider it a warranty repair, and simply gave me a brand new, 32 GB 3G iPad. I was shocked. I told her I couldn't accept it, as they owed me nothing. It was not a warranty issue and I didn't want anyone to get in trouble over my mistake. She told me that Apple was more interested in making me happy. She also told me not to ever do that again.

My wife was also floored by the generosity of service. I know that if I had gone in with some lame story, I would have been out of luck. No need. This was not my first, such experience, but it was the most dramatic.

If you damage your device, don't try to hide the evidence, or make up a story. Just tell the truth. There is a reason why Apple keeps getting the highest scores for customer satisfaction.

This is an official entry by dandbj13 in TiPb’s next top blogger contest. Think you have what it takes to join Team TiPb? Bring it!

An undisclosed number of users who have posted on Apple's discussion boards about poor battery life following the iPhone 3.1 software update are being contacted by AppleCare helpdesk with a hefty list of 11 follow-up questions. These questions focus primarily on the usual battery culprits, email (especially push), WiFi and Bluetooth, and App Store apps. Number 10, asking "When you notice a power drop, does it seem to be a legitimate power drop, or rather an issue with the battery icon indicator?", is certainly interesting.

The note also contains an attachment which, when double-clicked, installs what looks like an unsigned profile, similar to what is provided (in signed form) by developers using Ad Hoc provisioning for beta testing. (We're guessing there's a reason for it not to be signed, but -- note to Apple -- signing would make us feel so much warmer and fuzzier about it). This profile enables Battery Life Logging on the iPhone.

Once enabled, the iPhone will sync power logs back via iTunes, and they ask that those logs be sent back to Apple. (Due to the size of the logs, they recommend users not go for a few days without syncing, and provide instructions on turning off Battery Life Logging once the information has been accumulated.

AppleCare as contacted Apple discussion board users in the past surrounding other issues, like the iPhone 3G ringer following 3.0, so hopefully this means Apple is continuing to look into all major issues surrounding iPhone 3.1, especially the random lock ups and shut downs (dubbed "coma").

According to our recent iPhone 3.1 battery life poll, 24% of you are experiencing worse battery life under iPhone 3.1, with 61% reporting roughly the same battery life, and 11% reporting much better battery life. If you're one of the 24 percent'ers, let us know if you get contacted by Apple and make it any progress towards resolving the problem (for some tips from TiPb, see our previous How To: Trouble Shoot Battery Life post).

[Thanks to G. for the tip!]

The past 2 weeks have been pretty exciting in terms of iPhone news/rumors and to be honest, even I have neglected our forums. So today it's time I get back to my roots. Lets begin!

The first thread today has to do with the iPhone 3.0 OS. Apple has given us all the features that most of us have asked for but what features did they leave out that you would have loved to see included?

This next thread, started by John T, is one that everyone should chime in on. John feels that in order to stay competitive Apple needs to re-design the iPhone and give its exterior a nice fresh overhaul. So what do you think, does Apple need to make significant exterior hardware changes? If so, what direction would you like them to go?

This thread was started by a Crackberry forum regular, CrunchDude. It's a pretty straight forward, how good is AppleCare and is it worth it? Be sure to drop by the thread and let him know some of your experiences with AppleCare. Good or bad.

Last but not least, we have another TiPb Give Away. The premise this time is simple, tell us the most embarrassing song in your music collection for your chance to win one of three promo codes for XBMC Streamer! For more details about XBMC Streamer be sure to hit this link!

So there you have it, a few good threads worth checking out. Now in order to join in on the conversation, be sure to register. You won't regret it!

See you on the forums!

Well the holidays are over and the forum activity is stronger than ever, so why not let all of our readers know what the hot threads at the moment are...

Chris all of a sudden has a better 3G signal on his iPhone 3G... how about you? Seems as if AT&T is quietly beefing up their network... even with a couple outages as of late.

Next up we have spidermanroach wants to know Applecare or no Applecare? What do you think? Is it worth it? Personally I feel it depends on your needs and how long you will be keeping the device. Don't be shy, chime in and let us know what you think.

This thread is a old one, but more and more people are always asking how do I create my own ringtones for free??? So for anyone who wants the answer to that question be sure to check out the following thread: Make my own ringtones? It's simple and to the point, enjoy!

Lastly, don't forget about your chance to win one of three, custom built TiPb Element Cases! And if you have no idea of what we are talking about, be sure to check out our full review. Don't miss your chance to win and good luck!

To get in on all of the forum action, you must be registered. It's free and very simple to do. Get started here!

See you on the forums!

What's with Apple and fire this month? First Cupertino, now the first generation iPod Nano? (Not to mention MobileMe's early crashes and burns...). And this one is scary enough that I admit it had me staring at my own uber-battery packing iPhone just a tad more nervously than usual. The good news is, however, according to CNet AppleCare is all up in fixing the problem:

Apple has determined that in very rare cases batteries in first generation iPod nanos sold between September 2005 and December 2006 can overheat causing failure and deformation of the iPod nano. Apple has received very few reports of such incidents (less than 0.001 percent of first generation iPod nano units), which have been traced back to a single battery supplier. There have been no reports of serious injuries or property damage, and no reports of incidents for any other iPod nano model. Any first generation iPod nano customers who have experienced their battery overheating should contact AppleCare for a replacement. Any other customers who have concerns about their first generation iPod nano battery should also contact AppleCare.

As always, keep a close eye on your gadgets, especially as they get older. Look for frayed or damaged cables, discolored or distorted casing, and strange sounds or odors. And when in doubt, stop using it and take it to be checked. Better to waste your time than endanger your health or home.

(Mac users may also want to check their Mag Safe power adapters, which are currently experiencing similar issues).