You know the drill, come 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am BST, we’ll be taking over the front page of http://www.tipb.com to talk everything iPhone.

Be here, and be ready to chat. We want to hear from you.

iPhone live tonight, 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am BST is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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How does a high school student use his iPhone to get the job done and what iPhone apps help get him through his day? TiPb's iPhone at work contest aims to bring you just such slices of the iPhone life. Here's michaelchang516’s answer and as a small token of thanks we're sending him a $20 iTunes gift certificate. If you want to see your name up on the TiPb home page and get a gift certificate all your own, head on over to the TiPb iPhone Forum and share your story now!

I'm a high school student going into my Junior year in September in Taiwan. I'm also the president of our grade and also a leader at the local youth group. So I use my iPhone along with my Mac to do the tasks I have, and also have fun at the same time.

I'll take you through my day starting in the morning. I use Apple's default Clock application as my alarm. Then as soon as I wake up, I check Omnifocus to see what needs to be done during the day. This is because throughout the day when a student or teacher would tell me such and such needs to be done, I would quickly jot it down in the inbox of Omnifocus. Then when I arrive home from school, I would take about 10 minutes to organize all the tasks and give it a context, project, start time, due time…etc. All the organizing is done in Omnifocus on the mac and I have syncing set up between my iPhone and mac through MobileMe. After I figure out what I need to do, I will go do them. After that, if I have any free time, I will check Facebook and Twitter on my iPhone with the official Facebook and Twitter apps. Throughout the day, I will also jot in the inbox of Omnifocus if I will have a test coming up or if I have homework due.

I use the Mail app a lot because that's the primary way our teachers contact us and that's also how the class officers discuss meetings times. I also use Calendar because I'm quite busy and I need to make sure I don't miss any classes or meetings. The way I enter my events into Calendar is not directly through the Calendar app, I feel like this is slow because I have to be constantly going in and out of pages. I use an app called QuickCal Mobile to quickly enter my events. This app is very smart and it will read your everyday language and turn it into a calendar event. For example, I would type "Officer meeting tomorrow at noon for 45 minutes in the student office" then it would automatically add an event that's tomorrow from 12:00-12:45 at the location "student office".

Evernote is also a big part of how I take notes and write down questions I need to have with me. Again, this syncs with my mac so I can, for instance, have my research information with me when I go discuss our project my partner. But recently I've started to use Awesome Note instead of Evernote because the interface is a lot cleaner and prettier and also the notes can be stored offline. Awesome Note also syncs with Evernote servers, so it's a great addition. For taking notes, if it is a quick note, I don't ever go into Awesome Note or Evernote to start writing a new note. I use an app called FastEver. This app is very simple and all it does is let you write a quick note and then you can quit the app. Then it will sync and send it up to Evernote servers because this app has task completion written in.

Throughout the day I need to use the browser to look up various things. Most people would use Safari all the time but I've discovered a really nice browser called Atomic Web Browser and it really does take browsing on the iPhone to the next level. For making long distance calls, I use Skype. Sometimes I will need to chat with a classmate about homework or projects and I use Beejive IM. This app is absolutely the best IM app in the App Store. It's really well designed and, most importantly, it's really fast and snappy overall.

On days when we have class meetings and we're running a powerpoint, I use the Keynote Remote app on my iPhone to control the slides so I can be on stage and advance slides at the same time.

At last, when I'm home and I'm bored, I play Veggie Samurai (a similar game to Fruit Ninja but tons more fun). Recently, I've discovered an app named Pulse News; it basically lets me read all the news I want in one app and in a beautiful interface.

As you can see, throughout my day, I use many fabulous iPhone apps for my school life. I would be completing a lot less if I didn't have my iPhone.

Any other high school students use their iPhone to stay organized for school? If so, which apps help you the most?

iPhone at Work: high school student is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Wired did some poking around and discovered Phillip Shoemaker, Apple’s director of App Store — the man purportedly in charge of App Store approval and rejection — was or is the developer of fart and urination apps.

Shoemaker apparently had or has a company named Gray Noodle, whose titles include Animal Farts and iWiz. Although the social networking profiles and posts that led Wired to the discovery have subsequently been removed, they’ve retained archive copies. An Apple spokeswoman gave them the following comment:

"Phillip's apps were written, submitted and approved before he became an Apple employee," an Apple spokeswoman said in a statement. "His experience and perspective as a developer is one of the valuable things he brings to Apple's developer relations team. Apple's policy allows for employees to have apps on the App Store if they're developed and published prior to their start at Apple."

Other former Apple employees confirmed that special, executive level permission was required in order for an Apple employee to publish on the App Store, though if the apps predated Apple employment permission for them to remain on the App Store might be easier to obtain.

So is it reassuring for developers to have someone with experience getting controversial apps approved inside the App Store? Does it mean if you were rejected, you didn’t even meet the Animal Farts sniff test?

[Wired, thanks Luke!]

Director of App Store for Apple also made fart and wiz apps is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Verizon today announced they’re working on an app that would allow FiOS subscribers to watch the same linear TV shows on their iPad as they do on their current set top boxes. What does that mean?

At first, subscribers with an iPad will only be able to watch linear programming within their own home, which allows Verizon to authenticate and make certain that the users have access to whatever content they've paid for. Verizon CIO Shaygan Kheradpir said in a press briefing that the iPad app takes advantage of Verizon's architecture, which he characterized as "cloud TV." The experience is similar to what's available today on FiOS set-top boxes, and takes advantage of the same software that Verizon uses for its set-tops. As such, Verizon says it should already have rights to stream the content, as it's just another screen in the home.

In other words, it would be just like a regular TV, not video on demand or a la carte service. But it would be a TV you could carry around with you from room to room. Verizon is currently making sure their “content partners” are comfortable with the idea though. You know, those crazy backward thinking cable types can get mighty scared when it comes to their moving pictures showing up on an iPad… Sigh.

Also in the works is a video on demand service where content could be rented by the user and watched on any video capable device they own:

Under the new VOD platform, videos can be purchased through their set-top box or through Verizon.com and then be downloaded and watched on up to five different PCs and mobile devices.

We’ll believe it when we — hopefully very soon — see it. Any of you interested?

[NewTeeVee via @meinck]

Verizon app to allow FiOS subscribers to watch linear TV on iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Talon Hard Shell Case adds some color and fun to your iPhone 4 for under $10!

If you don’t like the mostly drab black and bumpers and cases Apple is giving away, the Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 is a great way to add a little color and fun for under $10. It isn’t anything fancy — you can’t throw your phone into a wall and expect it not to break (I would never try that anyways) — but when it comes down to a nice colorful case without shelling out over $30, this is it.

Read on for more detail!

The overall appearance of the Talon Hard Case is pretty slick. It’s clean and simple. It doesn’t stick to the inside of your pocket or add too much bulk to your phone. But on the flip side, since it doesn’t have much grip, it may make you more susceptible to drop your phone or for it to simply slip out of your hand. Mine almost did at work the other day. This is where a compromise between silicon and hard cases are nice. They add grip but not enough to where you have to have someone help you rip your phone from the inside of your pocket.

Another nice thing about the Talon Hard Case is the fact that it comes completely around the top of the phone (refer to pictures). I like this because if you set your phone face down, or Steve Jobs forbid it, drop your phone face down, it’s less likely you’ll do damage. Just setting it down, you’ll be just fine.  This case also allows easy access to all ports and controls on the phone without a fuss, which is nice.  I know some cases are a little too thick or narrow and I’ve had a few where when I’d go to charge my phone, the charger would fall out easily because it wouldn’t go in all the way.  This isn’t the case with the Talon, the charger fits in the port nicely.

The only thing I’ve noticed about this case that I really don’t care for is how difficult it is to pull it off. The easiest way I’ve found was to put wedge a fingernail in between the top left corner of the case, once you get that loose, work your finger carefully to the right on the top of the phone, then you should be able to pull it off. I always have a tendency to do this over a bed or soft surface so if your phone comes flying out of the case, you don’t damage it. I made the mistake of removing a Speck hard shell case over our granite kitchen floor once. I was extremely lucky my trusty 3GS sustained no damage when it tumbled from the case, but I can’t say the same about my heart, as I’m pretty sure it stopped for a brief second.

Overall, if you’re waiting for the perfect case, or just can’t decide where to put your money at but want something to put your mind at ease, it’s a $10 bill well spent. Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 are available in 3 colors (based on stock and availability of course); pink, blue, black, and purple and you can pick them up now in the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store.

If you’ve already picked this up, let us know your thoughts as well!

(As a side note, a day after writing this, I dropped my iPhone 4, with my Talon Hard Shell case on it. Not on carpet my friends, but on a granite kitchen floor.  I was attempting to let both the dogs out, had the little one in my hands while trying to grab the big dog’s collar, all while opening the door.  Well the iPhone 4 got dropped.  It made a pretty loud smash on the floor. I was terrified to take the case off.  Well, once I worked up the courage, I was pleased to see there was not even the tiniest blemish on my phone.  For $10, that’s a deal!)

Pros

• Creates an edge around the screen to protect the screen from damage
• Cheap — under $10!
• Comes in several colors
• Stays on well and doesn’t lose form
• Doesn’t add bulk and fits in a pocket easily
• Easy access to all ports and controls on the phone

Cons

• Unusually hard to get back off the phone
• A little “too” slippery, a little grip would have been nice

Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 – accessory review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Apple’s latest iPad ad kicks up the apps and the verbiage, taking us through a delicious, current, learning, playful, literary, artful, friendly, productive, scientific, and — you guessed it! — magical journey. (Absent Peter Coyote this time.)

So while iPhone has left apps and headed back to feature-based (i.e. FaceTime-based) advertising, Apple is moving iPad firmly into the app space. Interesting.

iBooks is just one of the apps highlighted. Can you name them all?

Video after the break!

Apple’s latest iPad ad is… magically delicious! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Do you sometimes struggle trying to find the perfect iPad position when on the couch or sitting in your favorite chair? Elite Home Theater Seating has a solution for you – the iPad Chair!

With the Luxa2 H4 iPad holder firmly securing the remarkable device in its tight grasp with its 6 rubber pins, you can now wield the power of the iPad in total relaxation with both hands free. The holder slides into the existing cupholder of the Elite HTS chair, and can then swivel and pivot 360 degrees. In addition, the iPad can be rotated vertically or horizontally, and can even be positioned flat like a table. Like malleable modeling clay, a dynamic mechanical joint hinge holds any position, and delivers all the pivoting action.

On the surface, it seems the iPad chair is nothing more than a normal fancy chair with a special attachment for the cup holder that holds the iPad. This is not the case. The chair itself is designed to provide optimum comfort while using the iPad, specifically in the head rest, back, and arm rests. The only thing that would make this chair better, would be an extendable attachment so that the ipad could be positioned in front of the user for more comfortable typing. The current design is awesome for everything else.

Starting at $2495.00 per chair for the Standard Package, I won’t be rushing to pick one up, but it’s fun to dream, right? What about you? Are considering adding this piece of furniture to your entertainment room at home? If so, please invite me over for dinner!

Check out the video after the break!

[Elite Home Theater Seating, thanks Tracy for sending this in!]

iPad Chair by Elite Home Theater Seating now available is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Vimeo has announced a new HTML5 universal player to finally bring Flash-free embedded videos to iPad and iPhone. How do you use it?

Starting today it is the new default embed code and is available via the embed button on any Vimeo video. Just copy and paste like any other embed code. This new embed code is available for any video, new or old.

They’ve also created a small javascript snippet you can add to your site to enable older, legacy embeds to work with the new player.

Mobile versions of all videos, however, is still a Plus feature.

For much, much more on the new feature, check out the link below.

[Vimeo]

Vimeo adds HTML 5 universal player for iPad, iPhone is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Yahoo! has released an HTML5 iPad friendly version of its mobile webmail.

• Faster and more reliable: If you're offline, Yahoo! Mail uses local caching capabilities to help you access and search your messages even without an internet connection.
• Smart: You can find and organize your messages using Full Search, personal folders and Smart Folders with messages from your most important contacts and optimized views for photos and file attachments.
• Feature Rich: View rich photo attachments in their full form, or as previews directly in the inbox view. Also includes a dual-pane view to make reading and organizing a breeze.

You don’t have to do anything special to begin using the new Yahoo! mail webmail experience on your iPad. Just visit http://mail.yahoo.com in Safari and you should see the change. Yahoo! promises to bring more features, improve performance, and Yahoo! Mail for iPad the “best it can possibly be.”

If you use Yahoo! mail on your iPad, let us know what you think!

[Yahoo! Mobile Blog]

Yahoo! mail now optimized for iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Great news for HBO fans! In an interview with Mossberg, HBO Co-President Eric Kessler said that HBO subscribers will be seeing HBO Go on their iPad’s soon.

In six months, HBO Go will be available to the channel's paying subscribers at no additional cost through all major cable systems, on Apple Inc.'s iPad, on mobile devices and elsewhere.

In addition to this great news, Kessler also delivered the disappointing report that HBO and Netflix will likely not be making a deal, so don’t expect to see HBO shows on Netflix for iPad anytime soon.

If you’re an HBO subscriber, how excited are you to have access with your iPad? If you’re not a subscriber, will this additional feature entice you to sign up?

[Bloomberg via Engadget]

HBO coming to iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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