Venture Beat claims a “very trusted” source has informed them that Apple’s PA Semi team might not have been behind the new iPad’s Apple A4 chipset:

PA Semi didn't do the A4. It was the existing VLSI team. Apple has made custom chips for years like the Northbridges for G4 and G5.

This information was appended to an article that focused on how great, and power-efficient, PA Semi’s chip design really was. So why wouldn’t Apple use them? Gizmodo speculates:

there likely isn’t a whole lot “custom” going in the A4’s actual design, which by all appearances is an ARM Cortex A9 wrapped up with a PowerVR graphics core and some other parts in a custom SoC. So, new question, if it’s true: What’s PA Semi, which Apple said would be working on chips for iPhones actually working on? A more customized chip would be interesting, since PA Semi’s true talent was in designing chips with ridiculous power efficiencies.

So, we won’t see PA Semi until… Apple A5?

Apple iPad A4 Chip Designed by PA Semi Team… or Not? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

TechCrunch is reporting that Apple has started sending developers invitations to take a satisfaction survey with regards to the App Store in general, and the App Store approval process in specific.

Apple asks you to answer with: "Very dissatisfied," "Somewhat dissatisfied," "Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied," "Somewhat satisfied," "Very satisfied," or "Don't know."

They also ask, "What one thing could Apple do to make the iPhone Developer Program better?" and give you a text box to write anything you want. A few months ago they certainly would have gotten some interesting responses there.

Indeed and as we suspected, “wait for developers and bloggers to get really ticked off and then have Phil Schiller email them” wasn’t a scalable solution. TechCrunch speculates that the improvements in the App Store approval process starting 2010 involve more and better trained staff, since approval speed has improved and reportedly even communications between Apple and developers is better.

So, if you’re a developer, what will you be telling Apple? And if you’re not a developer, does it matter to you that Apple is trying to improve their developer relations?

Apple to iPhone Developers: So… Happy with the App Store? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Above is a image that is claimed to belong to the upcoming 4th generation iPhone, courtesy of iPhone repair Web site iResQ. As iResQ points out, there are a few interesting things that stand out in the photo.

• “The LCD appears to be factory glued to the digitizer which is more similar to the first generation iPhones than the iPhone 3G and 3GS. The digitizer can be separated from the LCD on the 3G and 3GS models, which should be interesting to all, but for the repair folks like us–this means that the 4G screen repair price will be higher since both parts will have to be replaced at once.”
• “The iPhone 4G front panel seems to be about 1/4″ longer than its predecessors.”
• “There is an interesting reflective, mirror-like surface directly above the speaker. This is likely a spot for the proximity sensor. If that's what is is, it's in a different location than previous models.”

Here at TiPb we are hoping for something more drastic in terms of design changes but based on these latest images it’s hard to tell if the “A+” upgrade Steve Jobs promised will hold true. These images may turn out to be bogus or simply be scrapped before the final product is put together. We’ve seen it happen before with the matte backing.

We are willing to give Jobs the benefit of the doubt on his A+ upgrade for the time being, how about you?

One more image after the break!

[Via Apple Insider]

Rumored 4th Gen Apple iPhone Parts Show Little Design Change is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

The Wall Street Journal today posted a comment from an analyst that Apple will remain “nimble” on iPad pricing and could lower it if demand is less than expected.

Um. Yeah. Okay. Did anyone, especially anyone who ever took Intro to Business 101, ever think anything different? Wait… Apple does.

They launched the iPhone 2G at a premium then cut the price, and then arranged carrier subsidies to further cut the end-user price to really drive demand. They don’t drop price to help low-performing products. They drop price to send good performers into the stratosphere. (And 9to5mac has already heard rumors of carrier-subsidized iPad’s in Europe — can we imagine $50 or $100).

Put the iPhone price drop curve next to the Apple TV price drop curve if you need any further convincing.

Kthxanalyzethis

About that “Apple Could Drop iPad Price” Story is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

According to a study by Retrevo of more than 1000 randomly selected individuals, it seems as if the consumers interest in Apple’s iPad has dwindled considerably since it was announced back on January 26th.

“As we like to say, it's the apps that sell smartphones like the iPhone and it could very well be those same apps that motivate buyers to run down to the Apple Store and get in line to buy a shiny new iPad. Whether this device becomes a big hit is anyone's guess but based on this study it sure looks doubtful.”

Daring Fireball reminds us all to keep in mind Retrevo’s not so perfect track record so take their latest survey with a heavy grain of salt. With that being said, Retrevo found that 52 percent of participants have heard of Apple’s latest creation, but are not interested in making the purchase. While another 18 percent said they had not heard of the iPad and also were not interested. At least things are looking better for iPad in the business sector.

While most analysts believe the iPad will be a moderate success at launch, one can’t help but wonder what will happen if some of those missing features such as multitasking turn up before the product launches, or in an iPhone 4.0 OS update shortly thereafter…

UPDATE

The Macalope takes a saner, if Apple-centric look at the numbers:

What Retrevo "oddly" (ironic quotes intentional) doesn't call out is that the number of people who said they would like to buy an iPad tripled. Not only that, the number of people who said they were interested but needed more information also went up. Equally shocking is the fact that the number of people who said they hadn't heard of the iPad and weren't interested shrank from 35% to 18%! The number of people who said they "need" an iPad (as opposed to "want" – nice phrasing, Retrevo) went up as did the number of people who thought maybe they "needed" one.

[Via Apple Insider]

UPDATED: Consumer Interest in iPad Dwindling? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

If you have a itchy trigger finger when it comes to updating the software on your iPhone then this latest release of the Dev-Teams PwnageTool for Mac OS X is just for you. Now unless you care to have have a supposed more accurate battery indicator there really is no reason to upgrade to the 3.1.3 software but never the less there will be those of you who absolutely feel the need to upgrade.

Like always there are a ton of different scenarios that can play out here depending on your device model and current firmware so check out the Dev-Teams blog in the link below to get the full details and as always, proceed with caution. If you need some help, visit our dedicated forum for jailbreaking and unlocking.

[Via Dev-Team Blog]

Dev-Team Releases iPhone OS 3.1.3 PwnageTool for Mac OS X is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Riddim Ribbon, featuring the Black Eyed Peas [$2.99 - iTunes link] has just boom, boom, pow’ed its way onto the iTunes App Store.

Created by Tapulous, the developers behind Tap Tap Revenge, it brings the type of high octane, musical, iPhone and iPod touch-optimized gameplay they’re famous for but takes it in a whole new direction — first person front facing racetrack forward!

Bundled tracks:

• Boom Boom Pow
• I Gotta Feeling
• Meet Me Halfway
• 8 remixes

Downloadable levels ($0.99):

• Tiësto: Louder Than Boom
• Tiësto: Escape Me
• Benny Benassi: Satisfaction

Also noteworthy:

• “For a limited time only: purchase the game and get a FREE MP3 download of a Meet Me Halfway remix, downloaded straight to your iTunes!”

Video after the break, and if you try Riddim Ribbon out, let us know what you think!

[via 9to5mac]

Tapulous’ Riddim Ribbon with The Black Eyed Peas Now Available in App Store is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Credit Suisse Research analyst Jonathan Chaplin thinks we can expect Apple’s iPhone to remain exclusive to AT&T for an additional 12-18 months, long past some people’s expectations (and recent rumors). Not only will it remain exclusive, Chaplin says, but the delay will have a major negative impact on Verizon, causing him to lower his rating on Big Red from “Outperform” to “Neutral” and cut his share price target from $32 to $30.

“Our analysis suggests that Apple will eventually sell the device at all carriers; however, there is a much greater probability that AT&T keeps exclusivity for another 12-18 months than investors realize,” Chaplin wrote. “We think this has profound impacts for Apple, the carriers and the other handset OEMs.”

Credit Suisse is 75% certain that AT&T will keep their stranglehold on iPhone for the rest of this calendar year.

“We conclude there is only a 50% probability that it (exclusivity) ends in 2010,” Chaplin wrote. “Next, we try to determine whether AT&T bids for another year of exclusivity if exclusivity does end in 2010. We conclude they would and they can afford to compensate Apple such that Apple would be economically indifferent. Our approach yields a 25% probability for this outcome. Taken together, we see a 75% probability that AT&T keeps exclusivity for another year.”

Those of us here at TiPb have often wondered “analyst” predictions were any more reliable than magic 8-ball results, so we will ask you, our readers — will we ever see an iPhone on Verizon or is Steve out to bury them for rejecting the iPhone the first time around? Sound off in the comments!

[Via Apple Insider]

75% Chance iPhone Remains AT&T Exclusive iPhone Carrier in 2010 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

If cartoon violence is something you love, then Doodle Army [$0.99 - iTunes Link] might be right up your alley. It provides more comical 2D side-scrolling cartoon action than any other game I’ve found in the App Store.

The object is simple — keep progressing while disabling all of the attacking stick figures. You start out with four different locations, including Boot Camp, Rice Paddy, Beach Bunker, and Sand Dune. 25 different weapons are at your disposal that will vary by location. Weapons such as a pistol, shotgun, assault rifle, machine gun, grenade launcher, and even flame thrower are all included. You are even given a choice of control style with two different options, shooting at tap/drag or use of an onscreen dial.

At the end of the day, Doodle Army is a pretty decent game for the money. It provides you with some nice variability with the included weapons and landscapes which will help keep your interest in playing. If you are a fan of 2D side scrolling games along with a low price price, Doodle Army is worth checking out.

More screenshots after the break!

Quick App: Doodle Army is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

We’re proud to say that The iPhone Blog is now TiPb: your #1 iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad blog!

A little SPE network news before we get to our weekly list o’links. We’ve been calling TiPb ‘TiPb’ instead of ‘The iPhone Blog’ for so long now, we figured we may as well make it official. Add in that the iPhone platform now encompasses the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the newly announced iPad and renaming the site pretty much became a foregone conclusion. Same great content, new shorter URL to type in!

Say Hello to TiPb: The iPhone, iPod, and iPad Blog! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog