Join Chad and Rene for all the weeks iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad news… Live! If you have any questions, leave a comment below, hit us up on Twitter @tipb, or better still — join us live in the chat room via http://www.tipb.com/live

And yes, we’ll be gifting apps — even to people in the US tonight!

REMINDER: You can watch us live on your iPhone with the Ustream Viewer app [Free - iTunes link]. Just wait until the show starts (8pm ET) and search for iPhone. We’ll pop up. Literally.

Chat with you soon!

TiPb Live! Tonight at 8pm ET/5pm PT (1am GMT) 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 pre-ordered your iPad for April 3 and ponied up the extra money for expedited shipping, 9to5Mac reports that Apple is giving you a refund. Since all iPad Wi-Fi deliveries will occur on the same day, the more expensive shipping option made no sense. Nice to see Apple making right one that, isn’t it?

Apple refunds expedited shipping charge for iPad pre-orders is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

I

AppleInsider is adding to the multitasking rumors we’ve been hearing for a while now, saying iPhone 4.0 will finally extend the same benefits to 3rd party apps that Apple’s own Mail, Phone, and iPod apps (among others) enjoy.

Using a key combination, such as the double Home click that now triggers Spotlight or Camera (or whatever you choose in Settings), the current app would zoom out and you’d get a grid view of all running apps, similar to Mac OS X’s Exposé feature. Tap an app, it zooms in, and you’re good to go. How many apps will be allowed to run at once, and whether or not multitasking will work on older, RAM-starved iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G devices is unknown. (iPhone 3GS has double their RAM, and we’re hoping the 4th gen iPhone doubles that again for buttery smooth multitasking).

Whatever the implementation, Apple has a to make sure the new functionality is enough for power users but not too confusing for the mainstream. Apple’s success to date has largely been based on their ease of use as much as their ecosystem so keeping that is key.

Also mentioned again is the Universal Inbox Steve Jobs “confirmed” previously, where you can see all new email messages in one view and not have to tap into and out of each account (if you have work, home, school, or any combination of multiple emails).

Lastly, they claim Apple will allow you to pin contacts to the Home Page for speed dialing, much as you could previously pin web page icons for speed browsing. Just tap the husband, wife, friend, or partner’s picture and you’re off an dialing.

We still have no idea when we’ll see iPhone 4.0, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a post-iPad beta launch and a typical summertime release. Right, Apple?

iPhone 4.0: Multitasking Exposé, Universal Inbox, Contacts on Home Screen is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Mplayit is digging through more of their usage data and interesting things are being turned up. Here’s the take away this time around:

• On average, across all device platforms approximately 35 percent of users are interested in paid applications.
• More than half of the most popular apps on Mplayit’s iPhone (Arcade or platform) are paid, 57 percent, compared to 33 percent on BlackBerry and 16 percent on Android.
• BlackBerry users are willing to pay the biggest premium for apps, with a median price point of $5.99, compared to $2.72 on Android and $1.99 on iPhone.

Says Michael Powers, Mplayit CEO:

"Our analysis dispels the myth that consumers aren't willing to shell out money for great mobile applications. If you're making a quality app, don't be afraid to charge for it."

Bravo, and something TiPb hopes more developers start taking more seriously — we want you to have sustainable businesses so we get great apps not just now but into the future.

Another interesting metric that should surprise no one — games are still growing in popularity and share on the iPhone. 68% by Mplayit’s measure in March, up from 61% in February. No one else comes close in gaming yet, which is probably what worries Nintendo and Sony as much as Google and Microsoft…

iPhone users willing to buy more apps, BlackBerry users to pay more is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Here is the OtterBox Defender in pink [$42.95 - TiPb Store link], also offered in black, white, and yellow [TiPb Store Link] a case said to be strong enough for a man but made in pink for a woman.

As a special bonus, we asked you, our readers, if you wanted to see Rene use this case for a day along with photographic proof, and you responded with a strong, hell heck ya! Though, getting Project Pink to happen was more difficult that originally planned…

Read on for the review, and the results, after the break!

Design

The OtterBox Defender fully encompasses your iPhone. It comes in four different parts: the hard inner shell that separates into two parts, a soft silicone layer that goes over the inner shell for added protection, and then a belt clip which grasps your iPhone. A sheet of plastic covers the screen, camera lens and back Apple logo hole. The other buttons and ports on the iPhone are covered by removable silicone so they are also protected from dust.

The hard inner core provides impact resistance and the outer silicone provides cushioning and a better grip for the user. If you want a case that will provide protection from all but the greatest of falls and bumps, then the Otterbox Defender is for you.

It should be noted, however, that while the Otterbox Defender will resist a little rain or a light splash, it’s not water resistant. If you would like something you can take to the beach or the bathtub then I would recommend the Aquapac.

Usability

Just because it’s dressed up in pink, that doesn’t make the Otterbox Defender any easier to put on or take off your iPhone. I looked at the case, turned it around a few times, trying to figure out how to open it. Sheepishly, I asked Rene to open the case for me. He then took the case and turned it around a few times. In the end we figured out you have to stretch the silicone layer off the inner core, logical you say? Chinese puzzle box, I reply!

So if you need to get your iPhone in and out of its protection quickly than this is not a case to get. Its protective qualities also make this case more bulky than most, though a fair trade for your precious iPhone. I found the belt clip to be less secure than I wanted and I usually carried the OtterBox Defender in my purse. Loose belt clips seem to be a problem specifically for the pink version of this case but not for the other color selections (black, yellow, white).

The front screen was still easily touch sensitive and I had no problems using it for texting and gaming, though the high side bezels did make it difficult to access the inside edges of the screen.

Project Pink

Project Pink began as a simple promise: if 50 comment were made in a past review our dedicated editor Rene Ritchie would wear the next pink case I received for review. As soon as the post went up the comments came streaming in, people Twittered and Facebooked to ensure it would occur — in short it took on a life of its own. We easily got 50 comments by the end of the first day. A week went by, then two, scheduling conflicts, illness, for a while I doubted that Project Pink would ever come to completion. Then I heard that Rene had to travel to the Apple store. I knew this was the perfect opportunity to have Rene test out the OtterBox Defender and its lovely shade of bubblegum pink. Being a man of his word and a great sport, not only did Rene wear the OtterBox Defender but he twittered, emailed and carried it around on his belt. Though this was not all selfless as he did garner quite a good deal of female attention at the same time.

Conclusion

If you absolutely must have a pink case but also demand something that gives your iPhone the best chance for survival then the Otterbox Defender is for you. It’s multilayer design offers protection and grip though it is thicker than most cases, just ask Rene!

Please take a moment to let Rene know how cool he was for going through with the dare! Would any of you other men out there have done it ?

OtterBox Defender for iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS [Project Pink!] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Apple has shipped iPad pre-orders and regardless of whether you chose expedited or regular old delivery, it should get to your door on Saturday, April 3 (if your area offers weekend deliveries). To make sure it doesn’t get there any earlier, Apple is using every trick in their playbook so don’t be nervous if you see “holds” or “exceptions” on your delivery status. They don’t want any “accidental” pre-releases hitting the streets (and webs).

And if you reserved at your local (or not so local if you’re flying or driving in from abroad), Apple is sending out email confirmations (see above) complete with word that Apple Specialists will help you get set up (or for business customers, Apple Business is offering consultations by appointment at some stores).

Only a few sleeps left before iPad Wi-Fi launch day in the US (and perhaps a few weeks internationally and for 3G). Everyone ready? Anyone who hadn’t wanted one before reconsidering things now (especially after those Guided Tour videos hit)?

Apple holding iPad pre-orders, reassuring iPad reservations 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, which kicked up the old iPhone on Verizon rumors (and iPhone HD!) again this week, now says AT&T doing everything they can to fix their network and optimize their service before any customers even think of jumping to Big Red.

First, they’ve very publicly acknowledged problems in cities like New York and San Francisco and invested in infrastructure to get them up to speed (and to stop the drop). In total, $2 billion will be spent building out the network.

However, dealing with the sheer volume of iPhone users on AT&T is an unparalleled problem, they maintain (and one many suspect would have plagued any single carrier).

For example, AT&T said when iPhone customers started checking their email and surfing the Web from their high-rise offices, AT&T repositioned its cellular antennas to point up, instead of down. Rivals will start the process of making the same changes only after the phones hit their networks, it said.

AT&T also spent a lot of time with Apple trying to fine-tune how the iPhone dealt with their network, and give the Cupertino engineers a crash course on wireless. They returned regularly and, according to the WSJ, helped with new technologies to “lighten the load”.

Apple rejiggered how its phones communicate with AT&T’s towers. As a result, the phones now put less of a load on the network for such simple tasks as finding the closest tower or checking for available text messages.

It’s an interesting, if decidedly pro-AT&T article but well worth the read. If you’re on AT&T, are you seeing actual, real world improvements? Would you jump on (or jump to) a Verizon iPhone if one is ever released?

AT&T working their assets off in advance of Verizon iPhone? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

iVerse already has an iPhone app that lets you get and read digital comics on the go but, like many of us, when they saw Steve Jobs holding up that shiny new 9.7″ multitouch screen, they wanted their comics on the iPad.

Not content with simply upscaling their existing app, however, they built a new one from scratch:

"We really wanted to create a traditional comic book reading experience on this device." said Mr. Murphey. "You know, just because we can do all kinds of crazy things with the technology doesn't necessarily mean we should."

They’ve also answered some long-standing reader demands, including zoom and preview images. Content comes from Marvel, Ape Entertainment, Archaia, BOOM! Studios, IDW Publishing, titles from Image Comics creators, but no sign of DC yet (for shame!), and we’re not clear how much is available from which publisher yet either (for shame industry!).

The best news?

Long time users of iVerse Comics will have the ability to download new, high resolution, iPad files of their previously in-app-purchased comics for no additional cost. By the hoary hosts indeed!

Video after the break!

iPad Preview – iVerse Comics from Michael Murphey on Vimeo.

iVerse bringing comic books to iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

We’ve already mentioned iTunes 9.1 and iPhoto 8.1.2, but yesterday and today Apple also released Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3, VoiceOver Kit for iPod 1.3, and iPhone Configuration Utility 2.2.

For Mac and traditional iPod users, these will get you the latest, greatest bug fixes and software updates (with perhaps some iPad compatibility thrown into the former). For Enterprise IT admins, the iPhone Configuration Utility will now let you manage iPads as well as iPhones.

If you update any of the above, let us know how they work for you.

iPhone Configuration Utility 2.2, VoiceOver Kit for iPod 1.3, Mac OS X 10.6.3 Also Released is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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iPadinCanada.ca claims they’ve heard from a source with “close ties to the Apple Store” that the weekend of April 24 has been marked as a “black out” period, which means no vacations, which means they think iPad launch day in the Great White North.

Since the iPad is set to launch in several other countries, including the UK in “late April”, and the iPad 3G is also set to launch in “late April”, we’re taking only one tiny little step to the conclusion that maybe April 24 will be all those launch days as well.

Sounds reasonable, n’est ce pas?

Canadian iPad Launching April 24, International and 3G Version Too? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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