Ever wonder how to make a phone call right from within iPhone’s Safari browser without having to switch to the phone application? Because iOS automatically detects certain data types and turns them into actions, it’s easy. No need to copy and paste or write it down. We’ll show you how after the break.

Anything Safari (and other applications like Mail) recognize as a phone number will be shown in blue, just like a web link. When you see a phone number like that:

• Tap on it.
• A popup will appear showing you the number and offering to let you cancel or call.
• Hit call and you’ll be taken to the phone app, and the number will dial.

Bonus: There are other data detectors too, for addresses, even tracking numbers for your packages. We’ll cover them in a future tip.

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to dailytips@tipb.com. (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)

Tip: How to make a phone call from iPhone’s Safari browser is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Google Instant (beta) appears to be showing up on the Safari browser for some iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users. I just checked mine and I’ve yet to have it roll out here in good old Michigan City (we don’t even have 3G yet, so my expectations aren’t that high). For those of you not familiar with Google Instant, you search on Google as you normally do but instead of having to hit the search button and wait for the page to come back, results populate as you type.

Rene’s had it for a while but didn’t see fit to tell the rest of us. Shame on him. It will definitely be interesting to see how this feature works on iOS.

If any of you have instant yet, let us know what it’s like in the comments!

via 9to5Mac

Google Instant (beta) showing up for some iOS users? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Microsoft has officially conceded the fact that the Apple’s iPad is eating into Windows-powered netbook sales, according to Gavriella Schuster, General Manager for Windows product management with Microsoft:

But the success of the Apple iPad, and the impending Google Android tablets, are beginning to threaten Windows’ hold on the “and” PC market. These [Netbooks] are definitely getting cannibalized. These are really a second device. But they are getting cannibalized.

Microsoft labels netbooks as “and” devices, meaning they aren’t full-fledged PCs but rather augment a user’s computer. However, these ’secondary device’ sales are being devoured by Apple as a result of their success with the iPad. With the addition of iOS 4.2 coming very soon, essentially adding a multitude of features to an already feature-packed device, we only see this cannibalization progressing. Jonny Evans from ComputerWorld had this to say:

Sales in the netbook segment will continue to dwindle, and as mobile solutions continue to innovate and expand their market, eventually low-tier tablet devices will debut which will more than replace the remnants of the netbook market.

Remember, the iPad is currently believed to hold a 95% share of the tablet market, and over 20% of all consumers plan on purchasing an iPad in the future. Could the iPad eventually send the netbook to its grave?

[The Seattle PI via ComputerWorld]

Microsoft: The iPad is cannibalizing Netbook sales is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Plex is a fairly popular media center app for Mac OS X and now it will be available for all of your viewing pleasures on the brand new Apple TV (2010) via Jailbreak. Well sort-of. It is currently only in the beginning stages and still has bugs and limited playback options. It does show the future of possibilities for the Apple TV Jailbreak scene, however.

Now that Apple TV has Plex and NitoTV available for it — and will certainly continue gaining more and more apps — will you be purchasing one or are you still holding out for something even more groundbreaking? cough Hulu cough.

[ Engadget ]

Plex arrives on Apple TV [Jailbreak] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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What could be better than our favourite muppet friends from Sesame Street singing? How about singing There’s an app for that? You may remember a few weeks ago all of the TiPb staff were “muppetised”. We weren’t invited to sing along, but if all of you channel your inner child, maybe you could sing a few tunes with us? I think Steve Jobs would be proud.

I hope the video brings a smile to your day as it did mine. If you have a favourite muppet memory, please share with us in the comments below!

Sesame Street sings: There’s an app for that! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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The 2010 TiPb Awards have begun and it’s time to vote on all your favorites. This time it’s a booby prize of sorts, the iPhone/iPad/Apple #fail of the year. Hey, every device and company has its share of ups and downs, right? With Apple level highs can only come equally deep lows, and 2010 saw some doozies!

But there can only be one 2010 TiPb Award winner, so vote up in the pole above and then let us know why you chose the #fail you did in comments below. (And if you don’t see your favorite #fail here, add it as a write-in as well!)

• White iPhone 4
• Antennagate
• No camera on iPad
• Proximity sensor bug
• Ping
• No custom SMS tones in iOS 4.2

Ready, set, vote!

Vote now for iPhone/iPad #fail of the year! – TiPb Awards is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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YouTube Link

Trainyard for iPhone combines simplistic graphics and design with puzzles that are not so simple. The concept of the game is to get all the trains into the correct stations without a collision. The first several levels will teach you the basics but after that, you’ll definitely be scratching your head.

[iTunes Link]

After learning a couple basics, you’ll quickly be sending trains into the correct stations. Then you’ll gradually learn more maneuvers and techniques as the courses get more difficult. One thing I really liked about Trainyard is the progression. You don’t feel bored but the levels don’t overwhelm you either. Before each new trick or maneuver, you’ll spend several levels getting to know techniques before adding another.

You’ll need to learn techniques such as crossing tracks and merging trains. In some stations, you’ll have two trains and a hub that’s a different color. For instance, if you have a station that will only accept a green train, you’ll need to combine a blue train with a yellow in order to make one green train. The game will only use primary color trains and if you make a bad mix, you’ll get an ugly brown train, which no station will accept.

As you get further into the game, you’ll have to combine several techniques to get the correct patterns. There isn’t only one right solution to many levels though. While you may solve a level one way, another user may solve it another way. Trainyard also lets you upload your solutions to help other users. If you get stuck on a level, you can always view how other users solved those levels on the Trainyard site.

Each level will have a star amount it’s worth. You’ll need to collect a certain amount of stars in order to unlock new cities. Once you collect all the stars, you’ll unlock expert mode which will give you access to even more levels.

Levels also give you the option to clone them. This will let you solve the puzzle more than once since there can literally be hundreds of possible combinations for each level. So if you want a new challenge, try and solve the puzzles in more than one way. The only addition I’d really like to see is GameCenter integration.

Pros

• Difficulty increases at a steady pace
• Graphics and sound effects are simplistic and refreshing
• Sharing solutions is not only a great idea, but incredibly easy
• Longer game play than most puzzle or strategy games

Cons

• No GameCenter integration
• A way to see solutions in app would be awesome

Trainyard for iPhone – game review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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With the holiday shopping season upon us, launching the Verizon iPhone within the next week would make a huge amount of sense to everyone but AT&T, which is probably why there’s a rumor going around that November 9 is the day. However, “confirmed reports” on the Verizon iPhone have consistently said early 2011.

The source of the November 9 rumors is a leaked Verizon document concerning the launch of an “Iconic Device” that day, which certainly could describe a Verizon iPhone. However, it’s far more likely the document is referring to the Motorola Droid Pro, especially considering our sibling site, Android Central, got their mechanical little hands on another document that says just that. (See after the break).

I know lots of you are waiting anxiously for a Verizon iPhone, but I still think we’ll need to see Steve Jobs hold one up on stage first, maybe at a special event all it’s own, maybe as part of an iPad 2 introduction event in January or February 2011.

Are you tired of being teased yet?

[Android Central]

Verizon iPhone probably not coming next week is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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It seems a security hole in Paypal’s iPhone app has been discovered that would allow hackers to access user’s Paypal username and passwords over Wi-Fi. The “man-in-the-middle attack” let’s the hacker come between the user input information and Paypal’s servers. Although this is dangerous, it does require the hacker to be on the same Wi-Fi connection as the user in order to steal their information.

Airports, train stations, coffee shops, and other public Wi-Fi locations are the most susceptible. Paypal has issued a statement assuring if anyone does fall victim to this exploit, Paypal will cover 100% of all fraudulent charges. Paypal spokeswoman Amanda Pires had this to say -

“To my knowledge it has not affected anybody,” Ms. Pires said. “We’ve never had an issue with our app until now.”

Isn’t that how it typically works, though? You don’t have problems, until you do. And this is a large one. I’d highly suggest updating ASAP, the update is available via the App Store now.

via WSJ

Paypal for iPhone Wi-Fi exploit discovered, patched is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Ever wonder how many dead pixels you have to have on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, or Mac before Apple will issue you a replacement? Well it looks inside sources has given BGR the answer. What you see above is leaked document that appears to lay out general guidelines for Apple Retail Stores, and it seems they’re set by screen size.

An iPhone or iPod touch can have as little as 1 dead pixel, and that’ll warrant you a replacement. An iPad will have to have 3 to warrant a replacement, as less than that is considered acceptable. MacBook Airs will have to have at least 8 (ouch), and most iMacs or Cinema Displays would have to have at least 9 to 16 in order for a replacement to be warranted (double ouch).

Apparently it is noted that a replacement is up to a Genius at the end of the day. They can warrant replacements even if you fall within the normal tolerance. I don’t know about you, but if my 27″ iMac had 15 dead pixels, I think that should warrant a replacement, no questions asked. A friend of mine had an issue with a dead pixel on an iPad (just one) and had it replaced, as the pixel was located right where you’d typically type web addresses into safari (in another words, you saw it ALL the time). Maybe placement matters as well. I’ve never had issues with Apple myself and the guidelines for smaller screen sizes seems pretty fair. I’m not too sure about the larger sizes though. At the end of the day, these are just guidelines. If you’ve got dead or stuck pixels, I’d still say it’s a safe bet to try your luck at your local Apple store.

What do you think?

Boy Genius Report

Apple’s dead pixel policy for iPhone, iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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