The guys at BlackSmithGames have announced that their AppventCalendar will be returning for 2011. If you go to AppventCalendar.com everyday in December, you will be able to pick up a free game, and a free app. Thats 2 free downloads a day!

Something new for 2011 -- an iPhone app, meaning that you don't even have to visit the website to download your gift. You can check the app, and download the free gift, directly on your iPhone.

Don't forget, like any advent calendar, if you miss a day you can't go back and get it later!

• AppventCalendar website
• iTunes Link

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sprint has landed a huge $20 billion deal with Apple to purchase roughly 30 million iPhone units over the next four years.

Mr. Hesse told the board the carrier would have to agree to purchase at least 30.5 million iPhones over the next four years—a commitment of $20 billion at current rates—whether or not it could find people to buy them, according to people familiar with the matter. In order to keep the price people pay for the phone low and competitive with rivals, Sprint would be subsidizing the cost of each phone to the tune of about $500, which would take a long time to recoup even at the high monthly fees iPhone users pay.

Sprint is calling this an "all-in" gamble as they're essentially betting the farm on the iPhone to keep them competitive with Verizon and AT&T. But this seems to us like a very high risk gamble for Sprint to take.

BGR also claims they have word from an "incredibly solid source" that Sprint has landed an exclusive deal on the iPhone 5 with support for 4G WiMax out of the gate, with AT&T and Verizon only getting the device later next year.

I have been told that Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5 — yes the real iPhone 5, not the iPhone 4S — as an exclusive. And it will be a WiMAX device. AT&T and Verizon would launch the iPhone 4S and get the iPhone 5 sometime in the first quarter of next year as an LTE device. Globally, the iPhone 5 might be available as a 4G HSPA+ device.

Wouldn't it be far more likely, however, for Sprint to get a budget iPhone 4 and offer it at a far cheaper contract than AT&T or Verizon?

Source: WSJ, BGR

I will be honest here and say I've never been a fan of any refurbished products and AT&T is not making refurbished iPhone 3G's any more enticing. It seems that AT&T has once again gotten some stock of refurbished 16GB iPhone 3G's and are dumping them for the price of $149.99.

So you're saving 150 bucks from the price of a new iPhone 3G, but is getting locked into a two year contract worth it at this point as all signs point to a new iPhone coming in the next few months? How about a measly 90 day or more warranty depending on the life of that particular phone? And finally, how about the chance your refurbished phone comes with a few dings and scratches?

Refurbished Phones and Devices Refurbished phones are previously owned devices that have been unused or lightly used and returned during the 30-day trial period. Each refurbished phone is independently quality tested and loaded with the latest software to meet current factory standards. Some refurbished iPhone 3G devices will have minor scratches. Refurbished iPhone 3G devices carry a warranty of 90 days or more. For details about the warranty on your refurbished iPhone 3G go to www.apple.com/support/oss/.

We say pass on this deal and either go in for a new device or hold out until this summer for the rumored new iPhone. If you simply do not care about the above concerns, this deal is for you.

*If you do make this purchase and want to check the status of the warranty go to Apple's site and input your serial number here.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

There is a new email promo floating around from Best Buy (got mine last night). Their Reward Zone and Premier Silver members are being offered a pretty enticing discount when purchasing new a iPhone 3G. Here's how it works: Reward Zone members purchasing a new iPhone 3G will be lucky enough to have $50 knocked off the regular price while Premier Silver members get a even more generous $100 off of a new iPhone 3G.

Keep in mind this offer is only good until Saturday February 28th and you must sign your life away to AT&T for two years. So, if you are out shopping for a brand spanking new iPhone 3G and you've been a Reward Zone member before February 21st... head on over to Best Buy!