You know that contest where you can win a brand new Apple iPad from Waze and TiPb by competing against Android Central and CrackBerry.com? Well it looks like Team TiPb is doing very well. In fact, we’re neck-and-neck with AC and going strong… BUT, we need to get in the lead. We need to explode. We need to pwn.

So go refresh yourself on the rules, iPhone nation, and then double-time munching those TiPb treats on Waze.

Team TiPb for the win!

Win an iPad from Waze and TiPb update: iOS and Android neck-and-neck! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Skyfire, the Flash-transcoding browser for iPhone, will slowly, carefully be returning to the App Store today in small amounts and for limited times.:

We are going to open batches of downloads for new users over the coming days. The first batch will be in a few minutes on the Apple App Store. It will be first come, first serve.

Due to overwhelming demand, we are taking this approach because Skyfire believes a good user experience should come first, and we would rather have fewer, happier customers, and add new users as we can support them. We will open the first batches to US users only, with additional country support to follow shortly.

Please note that there may be some initial congestion as a flood of new users simultaneously try to use the service, but try again an hour later and things should smooth out.

We expect to open more batches frequently over the coming days.

So yes, they removed it because the demand from iPhone users was melting their transcoding servers (the machines that convert unsupported Flash to supported H.264 on the fly), but they’ll slowly be letting it back out. And it’s up to you to get it when and if you can.

Solution or confusion? Let us know in the comments…

[Skyfire blog, thanks to our good friend Phil for the heads-up!]

Skyfire for iPhone returning to App Store on limited basis. First come, first serve. is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Curious how to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it’s acting funny and nothing else will work?  Need to install a beta or custom firmware?  Whether you’re experiencing freezes, crashes, or your iPhone or iPad is just doing other crazy things – a restore will fix most of your woes.  Restores are also something developers need to know about to test beta firmware, and jailbreakers should become very familiar with, as sometimes it can make your phone a little less stable than it is stock.

To restore, whether on a Mac or PC:

• plug your iPhone, iPod, or iPad into your computer. 
• If iTunes doesn’t automatically launch, go ahead and launch it. 
• To the left, you’ll see a sidebar, click on your device.
• You’ll see a restore option. 
• (Make sure you backup your phone first. A sync can do this, or you can right click on your device name in the sidebar and select backup.)
• Then simply click that and let iTunes do it’s thing for a few minutes. 

When the restore has finished you’ll be asked to either set up as a new iPhone or restore from a backup.  If you choose to restore from a backup and your device still acts funny afterwards (i.e. the problem returned with the backup), I’d recommend doing the restore again and this time setting up as a new device. Then re-sync your content. 

To install different or custom firmware (say you need to test iOS 4.2 GM or say you’re on 4.0.2 and you don’t want 4.1 for some reason), hold down Option (Mac) or CTRL (Windows) while you click restore, then navigate to your then navigate to the firmware you want.

This is a pretty basic function of iTunes but one anyone that owns an iOS device should learn how to do.  Always make frequent backups and sync your phone regularly to ensure you won’t lose your content if something should go wrong with your device.

Let us know how it works for you and if you have any questions, ask in the comments!

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 news@tipb.com. (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)

Beginner tip: How to restore your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Facebook held a press conference the other day at which CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook does not need an iPad app because the iPad is not a mobile device. The latter part of that statement is an argument in itself, but I want to give three big reasons why Facebook does indeed need to provide their customers with an iPad app.

Media uploads

The biggest problem with using Facebook on Safari is the inability to upload photos and videos. One may argue that the iPad does not have a camera, hence there is no need to upload photos with it. This is simply not true. I may find a photo on the web that I saved to my photo library and desire to share on Facebook. Or perhaps I’m on vacation and uploaded a bunch of photos to my iPad with my camera connection kit and want to share them on Facebook. I could have even synced photos to my iPad and edited them with one of the many photo editing apps available. It’d be nice to immediately upload to Facebook without taking the intermediate step of transferring the photos to my computer first. You get the point. There are many situations in which one might desire to upload a photo to Facebook with their iPad.

Chat

Facebook is a social networking platform and, as such, the ability to chat with friends is a big part of the service. But good luck chatting while on your iPad, the ability to do so is simply impossible.

Tagging friends in status updates

When writing a status update for Facebook on a Mac or PC, if you start typing a friend’s name preceded by the @ symbol, a drop down menu appears with names of friends you can tag in your post (ex: “@Rene Ritchie”). If you try to do this on an iPad, the menu simply does not appear, making it impossible to tag friends in status updates on the iPad. This is frustrating, to say the least.

These are just three reasons why Facebook needs to design an app for the iPad. There is also the fact that Facebook on the web is designed to be a used with a mouse, not a finger. Yes, it (mostly) works with Safari on the iPad, but the fact of that matter is that the Facebook experience on the iPad could be so much greater with it’s own app. Why doesn’t Zuckerberg see this?

One of my theories is ads. It’s no secret that Facebook makes their money from ads. Most people who use Facebook on their iPhone or iPod touch also spend a lot of time using the web version and thus still see ads. But if an iPad user had an ad-free Facebook application on their iPad, they may never use the web version again. I wouldn’t. I have a feeling this is what Zuckerberg meant when he said the iPad is not mobile. iPhone users primarily use the Facebook app when the are out and about – away from a computer. But many iPad users will browse Facebook while at home sitting on their couch – 15 feet away from their desktop or laptop. That’s million of users who may potentially never encounter a Facebook ad again.

My solution? Bring the ads! Sure, it may initially upset users to see ads when using a Facebook app on their iPad, but at least the overall experience will be better than using Safari. Sometimes I wonder if Zuckerberg has forgotten who his true customers are – Facebook users.

What do you think about the lack of a Facebook app on the iPad? Do you think ads may being playing a part in its nonexistence? Do you want a separate iPad app or are you happy with using Safari?

Sound off in the comments below!

Why Facebook needs an iPad app is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

iAd has been usable in the United States and United Kingdom since it was deployed, but now developers are beginning to report that they are seeing ad impressions from other countries as well. Part of this could have to do with the fact that the iPad did not have iAd integration as it didn’t run a version of iOS that supported iAd. Seeing as iPad will be receiving iOS 4.2 in the coming weeks as well, perhaps Apple now has reason to roll out iAd to additional countries.

This is great news for developers that implement iAd as it will allow the opportunity for them to have a much wider market for potential ad revenue. Any developers on TiPb implementing iAd? If you have, have you seen impressions from countries other than the US and UK over the past few days?

[ MacRumors]

iAd Begins to Crop Up Worldwide is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

The Mobi Metal Back Case for iPhone 4 is a thin, hardshell plastic case with a stunning metallic-looking backplate. The case has cutouts for easy accessibility to all ports and buttons but does not envelop the front of the iPhone 4 glass so you are able to swipe and type without obstructions.

Is it form over function? Stay with us after the break!

I chose to review the Mobi Metal Back Case for iPhone 4 just for its looks, I love how the light catches this case. Since the metal backplate is etched with concentric circles, it’s quite a stunner. It also comes in a variety of colors including black, silver, red and pink, so will appeal to men and women. The sides of the case are clear so you can see the stainless steel band of your iPhone shine through. There are openings for all buttons and ports but I found it slightly difficult to depress the volume buttons on the side because the circular cut outs are of equal thickness to the buttons.

IPersonally I have an issue with any case made from plastic. They just feel brittle and I worry it will crack when putting it on and taking it off. I didn’t crack the Mobi Metal Back Case for iPhone 4 but it was quite difficult to take off. It is such a tight fit I’d recommend it more for those who don’t remove their cases often but just leave them on.

If you want a great looking case with a stunning finish and don’t need to remove it often (or at all), then the Mobi Metal Back Case for iPhone 4 may just be the case for you. Check it out at the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store. Let me know in the comments below what you think of it, and I would love to hear if you order one!

Pros

• Thin
• Lightweight
• Affordable
• Looks great

Cons

• Difficult to apply and remove
• Plastic feels brittle
• Difficult to depress volume buttons

Rating

Gallery

Mobi Metal Back Case for iPhone 4 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Germany’s Deutsche Telekom AG reported yesterday that profits for the September quarter beat expectations but said that poor performance in their U.S. business is due to its lack of ability to carry the iPhone. Chief Executive Rene Obermann said:

Consumers like T-Mobile but they also want to have the iPhone, which T-Mobile USA has no chance of getting in the short term.

In Europe, Deutsche Telekom, had exclusivity with the iPhone but they have recently lost that perk. With rumors of the iPhone coming to Verizon, things aren’t looking good for T-Mobiles future in the U.S.

[ Apple Insider ]

T-Mobile blames its poor performance on lack of iPhone is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

I have been teetering back and forth as to whether or not I should jailbreak my iPhone 4 and iPad. I have been talking about it during our podcasts and on Twitter. Perhaps you yourself are going through something similar? Ally, captain of Team Jailbreak, has been very effective in discussing the various reasons that jailbreaking would enhance my iPhone 4 experience. Chad, dear leader of Team Pure, has been letting me know how jailbreaking could destabilize my iPhone 4 and make Steve Jobs cry.

Vote in the poll above and use the comments below to tell me which side you are on and your reasons for deciding between Team Jailbreak or Team Pure.

If you want to join in on the Twitter fun, use hashtags #TeamPure and #TeamJailbreak and show your support for Chad (@iChadman), Ally (@iMuggle) and me (@GeorgiaTiPb). Just don’t tell Rene (@reneritchie). Shhh…

Help me dear readers, you are my only hope!

#TeamJailbreak vs. #TeamPure — which side are you on? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Fruit Ninja is one of the most popular iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad games in the App Store. Up until now, on the menu select screen, there has been a mysterious banana-shaped mode, marked as “coming soon”. Well soon is now and Halfbrick have finally revealed “Arcade Mode” — 60 seconds, 3 power ups,

Double Points – This banana will award you double points for a short period of time. Criticals and combos count too, so rack up those fruit for some massive scores!

Frenzy – If you're not content with the amount of fruit on screen, the Frenzy banana will take care of that. A mammoth amount of fruit will begin flying in, but you have to stay focused to slice it all!

Freeze – The entire screen will slow down, allowing for maximum accuracy and combo potential!

The Fruit Ninja update is available in the App Store now.

Video after the break and if you try Arcade Mode, let us know what you think!

[iPhone/iPod touch iTunes link, iPad iTunes link]

Halfbrick launches Fruit Ninja’s “Arcade Mode” for iPhone, iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

iPhone Dev Team member MuscleNerd has announced on his twitter feed that Cydia creator Saurik and jailbreak dev Chpwn are hard at work on a Cydia update just in time for the release and jailbreak of iOS 4.2.

What changes are coming, if any, have not been specified but loading speed reduction and user reviews have long been rumored. What changes would you like to see? Let us know by leaving a comment or discussing it in our Jailbreak Forum!

[@MuscleNerd]

Cydia update on it’s way! [Jailbreak] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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