The long rumored Google eBooks service appears to have gone live today… somewhat. The service allows you to not only read books on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, but on the web or on Android phones, Nook, and Sony devices. The iOS webpage boasts over 8,000 titles already available for download.

The only problem right now is the fact that the native app isn’t currently available for iPhone or iPad yet. (I’m getting the “The item you’ve requested is not currently available in the US Store” error but we’ll update when that’s sorted out.)

Also, Google is using Adobe DRM for their eBooks so while they won’t be compatible with iBooks (FairPlay) or Kindle, they will be compatible with other stores and readers that support Adobe Content Server 4.

If any of you guys have tried out Google eBooks, let us know what you think!

Update: Looks like the app is now available in the US app store under Google Books

[Google eBooks](http://books.google.com/ebooks) via Android Central]

Square is a new credit card payment service that allows users to take credit card payments directly to their mobile devices. Businesses can now apply for a Square merchant account, and if approved, will be given a free reader. Square was first announced last year and gained quite a bit of interest. The above tweet is from Jack Dorsey, founder of Square and co-founder of Twitter.

One of the perks for merchants is that there are no annual fees tied to the service. Each transaction will be charged 2.75% of the purchase price plus $0.15 per credit card swipe. For those of you familiar with some of the fees some companies stick to merchants, this isn’t a bad deal – especially considering you can accept payments on the go, which is ideal for smaller businesses and contractors. You can check out the Square website for more information.

Square is currently available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and a handful of Android devices. iPhone 4 users can also enjoy the new second generation reader that is not only slimmer, but is better at capturing images at varying speeds.

[via Mashable]

AT&T is finally opening up and coming clean about their sub par service that is offered in areas of New York and San Francisco. Ralph de la Vega, chief executive of AT&T Mobility, recently spoke at a investors conference regarding the poor service.

“This is going to get fixed, in both of those markets, I am very confident that you’re going to see significant progress.”

Obviously this is good news for those of you in these areas. Worse news? AT&T might use “unlimited” to sell you your data plan, but they obviously don’t intend for you to use it. And if you do, watch out.

Wireless data hogs who jam the airwaves by watching video on their iPhones will be put on tighter leashes.

Video. The horror!

De la Vega didn’t say exactly how or when the carrier would change its policies, but he said some form of usage-based pricing for data is inevitable.

If one stops to think about the other carriers getting more attractive smartphone options and the fact that AT&T’s iPhone exclusivity is running thin… AT&T better figure things out and fast.

[Thanks to the Reptile for the tip!]

Users over on Apple’s support forums are complaining of a bug that has been around since the first generation iPhone and the 1x software. Even on the 3.1.2 software users are randomly getting their iPhones stuck without service while the phone says it is searching for a signal. This bug does not discriminate either, it does not care what cell phone carrier your are with, whether your device is jailbroken or not, or model of iPhone.

Currently the only way to get around this bug is if you reset your device by holding down the power button along with the home button until you see the Apple logo appear on your screen. Once booted back up your service should be restored.

Fortunately, none of us here at TiPb have personally encountered this behavior from any of our current iPhones. Any of our readers find themselves ‘searching for service’?

[Via iLounge]

Still got that original iPhone 2G running on AT&T? Get ready to suffer, luddite! Gizmodo reports on OFB‘s findings:

Timothy Butler over at OFB did some sleuthing and found that AT&T is downgrading its EDGE/2G service to the weaker 1900 MHz band. Their response to those with newly-lousy service? Buy a new phone.

Specifically, the weaker band means less bars in less places, like inside homes and offices and, out of the way regions — like maybe where you are?

Additionally, this leads TiPb to wonder what will happen to iPhone 3G users in 2G-only areas? Will AT&T leave the 850 band for them until 3G rolls in? And what about users switching to 2G to save battery life? Will it now come at the expense of their signal? How about it, AT&T?