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Just in case you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last month or so, Apple just recently started introducing their newest iPhone, the iPhone 4 into several markets around the world. While the device itself is amazing, and most people that have one would never go back to their old phone, it has a hardware design flaw. It’s antennae is easily interfered with because it is on the outside edges of the phone!

While, at least in my own opinion, the problem seems to be marginal (I get as good or better reception as my old 3GS even while “holding it wrong”) there are still a fair amount of people that have been upset about the problem, some of them even demanding a resolution from Apple.

Ok now onto the news… Apple has planned a press conference for 10pm Pacific time (-8 GMT) today. The only thing that we really know about this press conference is that Apple has confirmed that it is about the iPhone 4. Many people hope that this press conference will mean that Apple is going to do something like give away their “Bumpers.” These seem to fix the antennae problem by covering the antennae with a non-conductive rubber material and would probably cost Apple a lot less than a full-scale recall.

Anyway, there will be several well-known blogs, and even some hard-news sources covering the event live and I’ve included some links below if you’re interested. And while you’re waiting on Apple to get the press conference started we’d appreciate it if you would take a look at some of our latest app postings!

Engadget
MacWorld
gdgt
CBS News
ZDNet
CNET

- David H.

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If you’re a guitarist and you haven’t already heard about IK Multimedia’s latest hardware/app combination be sure to check out my review of it here! for those of you who have heard of it, and are salivating at the thought, I’m happy to announce that IK Multimedia has just started shipping the iRig hardware!

If you want to get your hands on it I’d encourage you to head to http://www.amplitube.com/irig and order yours today! The unit is currently $39.99, plus whatever shipping charges are applicable to your shipping location.

Features of the iRig include…

• 1/4″ jack mono instruments input with Hi-Z impedance adapter – suitable for guitars, bass, synthesizers, mixing consoles
• 1/8″ mini-jack stereo output can be connected to headphones, amplifiers, powered speakers
• Compatible with iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, iPod Touch 2nd and 3rd generation, and iPad
• Ultra-low latency (down to 128 samples) for real time playing with AmpliTube
• Feedback cancellation and noise filter available in AmpliTube
• Works also with any other apps like tuners, recorders, etc…

This app can literally turn your iPhone or iTouch into a mobile amp in your pocket. If you’re a guitarist with an iPhone, this is one piece of hardware that you don’t want to miss!

~David

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IK Multimedia has come up with a great solution for mobile guitarists. They have released an app called “AmpliTube,” and they are preparing to start shipping an accessory to allow you to plug your guitar into your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

The iRig hardware will cost $39.99 and is scheduled to start shipping the first week of July.   The accompanying AmpliTube app comes in 3 different versions which vary from Free to $19.99. The more you pay the more effects and amp models you will get in the app. If you don’t want to pay the full $19.99 but have a couple of pedals you’d like you can also buy them individually via in-app purchases!

IK Multimedia was kind enough to send me a unit before they actually start shipping them at the beginning of next month, and I was blown away! If you’re as excited as I was hearing this news you’ll want to check out my full review and thoughts at http://www.appshouter.com/amplitube-iphone-and-ipad-app-review!

- David H.
Tweet me @iHayward or @appshouter!

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If you have an iPhone or an iPod touch, chances are you’re sitting at your computer right now waiting and wondering when Apple will release the latest firmware update labeled “iOS 4″! The big day is already here for most (June 21st), but the question is what time will they finally release it?

I thought it would be appropriate to go over what new functionality you’ll find in iOS4, and give some basic information…

How Much is it?

First of all, if you are an iPod Touch user, iOS 4 is still a free update for you! While previously Apple has chosen to charge $9.99 for major updates, this one will be free.

Will it work on my iDevice?

According to Apple iOS 4 will run on all iPhone and iTouch devices except the original iPhone 2G, and the first generation iPod Touch. Multitasking, however, will only run on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and 3rd generation iPod Touch. This is due to the memory constraints of the older devices according to Apple.

What Does it do?

There are literally hundreds of changes and tweaks in iOS4, but here are a few

of the major things to look forward to!…

1. Multitasking! – iOS 4 implements a custom version of multitasking that will allow app developers to push certain tasks into the background and keep them running, as well as offer the ability to save “states” to help launch apps more quickly and to take you back to the same state where you left them(again this only works on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 3rd generation).
2. Better HTML 5 video support – Video will be able to play from within the browser without launching the “quicktime” window.
3. Software Orientation lock – While there is no hardware switch for this like on the iPad, iOS 4 will include software support for it when you double tap the home button and swipe left.
4. iTunes file sharing – iOS 4 includes the ability to sync documents associated with various apps through iTunes for access from your computer. The ability to open up files inside of specific apps like on the iPad is also enabled.
5. Bluetooth Keyboard Support – People have been waiting for this feature for a long time. This will make mobile document editing much more viable on the iPhone and iTouch
6. iBooks – Apple introduced the iBooks store on the iPad. iOS 4 opens up the ability to read these books on your iPhone and/or iPod Touch.
7. New Email functionality – iOS 4 supports threading messages (yay for Gmail users!) and a unified inbox much like in the Mac OS
8. iPod update – iOS 4 includes several updates to the iPod app, including hte ability to create and edit playlists directly from your device!
9. Folders – Sort all of your apps into folders using a simple drag and drop interface!
10. Game Center – Apple’s new gaming network to help you make and connect to friends that play games on their iDevices!

These are just a few of the new features included in iOS 4, so which ones are you most excited about? Do you feel that iOS 4 will live up to all the hype? Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

- David H.

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There have been several reports online recently(1, 2) that Apple confirmed the fact that the new iPhone 4 has 512MB of RAM, which is double the amount found in the iPad and in the iPhone 3GS. Up to this point there had been rumors, but many people believed that the new phone would have the same amount of memory as it’s predecessor.

Apparently several journalists have actually tracked down and confirmed that Apple did in fact tell developers that the new phone has 512MB of RAM. Many people have complained that the iPhone 3G is perfectly capable of multitasking, but the chart below illustrates the significant difference in RAM from the 3G to the new iPhone 4.

Image from: [AppleInsider.com]

Not only does this show us that the newer devices have included more memory to support future features like multitasking, but it also shows us a possible reason that the new “iMovie” app will work only on the iPhone 4 and not on the iPad.

I don’t know about you, but knowing that the new phone has double the memory makes me even more excited about getting one! While I’m sure multitasking on the 3GS is going to be great as well, just imagine how it will work with twice the memory!

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What feature(s) are you most excited about the iPhone 4? Or are you disappointed in what Apple has amounced? Leave your comments below, or email me your comments/questions at david@appshouter.com!

~ David H.
Tweet Me! – @iHayward, @appshouter

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