Are you ready for another edition of iPhone Live? You better be because we’re coming your way at 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am GMT.

http://live.tipb.com/live/

And yes, we might just have some promo codes to give away!

If you have any questions for the show tweet them to @TiPb, email them to podcast@tipb.com, or leave them in the comments below!

Bring it!

iPhone Live! podcast tonight! Come chat! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Apple has just released iTunes 10.1.1 a minor bug-fix focused update. Issues addressed include:

• Addresses an issue where some music videos may not play on Macs equipped with NVIDIA GeForce 9400 or 9600 graphics.
• Resolves an issue where iTunes may unexpectedly quit when deleting a playlist that has the iTunes Sidebar showing.
• Fixes a problem where iTunes may unexpectedly quit when connecting an iPod to a Mac equipped with a PowerPC processor.
• Addresses an issue where some music videos may not sync to an iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

Probably safe for Jailbreakers but if you have any questions or concerns drop them in comments or head on over to our Jailbreak Forum for expert help and community.

Apple releases iTunes 10.1.1 – bug fixes is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Apple has just released a significant update to its iBooks application for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. New in version 1.2 is the ability to experience fully illustrated books, be they children's picture books or books of beautifully designed art, you can now enjoy them in all their glory within iBooks. Another new feature is the ability to organise your books and PDFs into personal collections, this is also synched over the air to your other iOS devices if you have them.

Air Print has also been enabled if you have one of the few printers that work with this; you can now print PDFs and notes you have written in iBooks. Apple also claim to be able to fit more text to the screen by automatically hyphenating text, this is only available if your device is updated to iOS 4.2

There is no question that iBooks is a beautifully presented application, the only problem is the lack of content in the iBooks store.

[iTunes Link]

Apple updates iBooks with collections, printing, more is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Crystal Dynamic’s Karl Stewart has confirmed that Lara Croft and the Guardians of Light will be hitting the North American App Store tomorrow for $6.99 (iPhone) and $9.99 (iPad). The game is said to be unchanged from the XBLA and PSN game that was released to critical acclaim earlier this year.

There will be a two-player co-op mode included over both WiFi and Bluetooth. For those familiar with the game and hoping that the DLC from the XBLA/PSN versions would make it to the iOS version, a Crystal Dynamics representative has confirmed that the DLC will not be included on the version being released tomorrow, however a future update has not been ruled out.

Check out more pictures and let us know what you think about this and all the other exciting games being released for iOS after the break!

Lara Croft and the Guardians of Light hitting App Store tomorrow! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

A new survey by DirecTV could indicate a future new addition for their NFL Sunday Ticket service, including Apple TV.

NFL Sunday ticket already streams to PCs and mobile devices even if you don’t have DirecTV. The survey indicates the addition of other platforms to the list of supported devices and also indicates a possible different pricing scheme depending on how you would want to subscribe to the service.

Nothing is final as of yet but surveys such as this have proven to be fairly accurate in the past at showing new features that are fixing to roll out. Would you be more up to spend the money on NFL Sunday Ticket if you could watch it on your Apple TV if you don’t have DirecTV? Tell us your take on this service possibly coming to Apple TV next year in the comments section.

[ Engadget ]

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket coming to Apple TV? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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TiPb checks out the best, most must-have cases, chargers, headsets, and other accessories to stock up on as soon as you get your new iPhone 4

Just get a new iPhone 4 or iPad touch and curious which are the best, most must-have accessories you need get first? Want to protect that beautiful glass display (and glass back!) or keep your battery charged on the go? Well read on for the TiPb store’s top 10 most recommended, most must-have iPhone accessories to get your started.

Light cases: Case-Mate Barely There

The Case-Mate Barely There is tough enough to protect your iPhone 4 from scratches or scrapes without adding a lot of bulk — just enough to keep your signal from dropping if you’re in a low-reception area. It comes in a wide variety of colors, including black, blue, pink, green, and chrome, and has wide cutouts so it works with pretty much any cable or connector. There’s also a cutout for the Apple logo on the back, if that’s the kind of thing that appeals to you. Includes a screen protector. [$22.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Incipio Ultra Light Feature Case has even more colors and no logo cutout. [$23.95 - TiPb store link]
• Seidio Innocase II Case has pastel colors and 2-piece design. [$29.95 - TiPb store link]

Leather cases: Griffin Elan Passport

The Griffen Elan Passport is a wallet-style case that keeps your iPhone safe, secure, and in the same place as your cash and most-used credit cards. It comes in black with a platinum variant that includes a lanyard. Rich leather with tasteful metallic accents give it just the right touch of class and styling. It even includes a cutout for the camera so you can take snapshots and shoot video without removing your iPhone from the case. [$37.95 - TiPb store link]

• SPE SidePouch Case lets you clip your iPhone to your belt for holster-fast access. [$14.95 - TiPb store link]
• Nutshell Leather Belt Case blends high quality New Zealand cowhide with soft ultrasuede interior. [59.95 - TiPb store link]

Protective cases: Otterbox Defender

The Otterbox Defender case is multilayer armor for your iPhone. A hard inner shell with clear plastic protection for the screen and Apple Logo is covered by a soft rubber outer shell that covers all the buttons and ports and keeps your iPhone safe from impact, abrasion, and incidental weather. It comes in black, blue, or red and includes a fast-action belt clip if you want to wear your iPhone at your side. It’s pretty only in the bulldog sense of the word but if you need to keep your iPhone safe, it’s also your go-to case. [$47.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Overboard Pro-Sport Waterproof Case for total bath, pool, and beach protection for your iPhone. [$39.95 - iTunes link]
• Otterbox Commuter Case gives a good level of protection with less bulk. [$32.95 - TiPb store link]

Charging cables: SPE Retractable Sync and Charge Cable

The SPE Retractable Sync and Charge Cable is just like the standard iPhone cable — USB 2.0 on one end, 30-pin dock connector on the other — but can go from 24-inches fully extended down to just 4.5-inches to easily fit in your jacket, bag, purse, or pocket. You can plug it into your WIndows or Mac PC, or into an AC adapter to charge your iPhone without worrying about excess cable getting in your way. That makes it especially useful for road warriors, students, and frequent travelers. [$4.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Apple USB AC Adapter with Sync Cable so you can plug into a wall as well into a PC. [$14.95 - TiPb store link]
• Griffin PowerJolt Plus not only lets you plug into your car, but passes through power to a second car adapter. [$27.95 - TiPb store link]

Battery Chargers: Ventev PowerCELL

Since iPhone doesn’t have a removable battery crafty accessory makers have made all sorts of different external battery packs for it, including Ventev PowerCELL. Rather than a case or dongle, the Ventev is a power pack with ports for not only iPhone 4’s dock cable but also mini and micro USB so you can charge Bluetooth headsets and even other devices. This makes it the perfect universal power solution for travelers. [$54.95 - TiPb store link]

• mophie juicepack plus is a slider-style case with battery pack built in. [$99.95 - Mophie link]
• Griffin TuneJuice2 lets you load up AAA batteries and transfer the charge. [$29.95 - TiPb store link]

Headsets: v-moda vibe duo In-Ear Stereo Headset

The v-moda vibe duo cram a huge audio punch into a tiny in-ear package. With amazing clarity, great noise-reduction, and a ton of drive they’re a great compromise for getting high-end quality at lower-end prices. They’ve also got a microphone so you can rock, pause and answer a call, then get right back to rocking. [$99.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Apple In-Ear Headpohones with Remote and Mic are also great quality at a good price and perfect for Apple purists. [$79.00 - Apple store link]
• maximo iMetal Isolation Stereo Headset are for those who don’t want to spend a ton of cash on their headsets but still want a ton of music for their money. [$49.95 - TiPb store link]

Bluetooth headsets: Plantronics Voyager Pro

Many states and provinces now require hands-free driving options so if you have to wear a headset it might as well be one that looks like it comes straight from the bridge of the Galactica. Sure you can find smaller headsets but they typically have flimsy ear loops or no ear loops at all and might just fall out if you chew or move your head too quickly. This headset says “pro” and means it. [$84.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Jawbone ICON, the latest in the line that sets the bar for headset style. [$79.95 - TiPb store link]
• Motorola H15 gives the best bang for Bluetooth buck with great sound at a great price [$49.95 - TiPb store link]

Stereo Bluetooth headset: Motorola MOTOROKR S9-HD

Motorola’s MOTOROKR S9-HD makes a great product better with better audio quality and full 3D immersion. Listen to all your favorite iPod music and then, with the tap of a button, answer a call, talk, hang up, and go back to jamming. If you like the behind-the-head style of headset, you won’t find better — or more booming! — than the S9-HD. [$84.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Motorola MOTOROCKR S305 are a great, lower cost alternative that still sound terrific for the price. [$49.95 - TiPb store link]
• Jawbone JAMBOX aren’t a headset but they are a fantastic sounding speakerphone that pounds out music like nobody’s business. [$199.99 - Jawbone store link]

Car mounts: iGrip Custom Fit Mounts

Bluetooth is great for audio but it won’t hold your iPhone up so you can look at turn-by-turn directions or quickly access the other functions. That’s where iGrip’s Custom Fit series of car mounts come in, with options for power plug (cigarette lighter), suction cup, and vent mounting systems. [$19.95 and up - TiPb store link]

• TomTom car kit for iPhone, for those who use the TomTom app, provides enhanced GPS (there’s even a model for the iPod touch) [$99.95 - TomTom store link]
• iGrip Universal series is for those who want to fit more than just an iPhone [$19.95 and up - TiPb store link]

Amazing extras: Pogo Sketch Stylus

Steve Jobs might not think much of the stylus but for artists or just cold climates they can let you do everything from painting fantastic works of art to staying iPhone-functional with your arctic mittens on. Pogo Sketch comes in pink or silver, is light weight, and has a handy clip to keep it from getting lost. [$14.95 - TiPb store link]

Also check out:

• Freedom i-Connex Mini Keyboard is for those who need to do serious writing while staying seriously mobile. [$37.95 - TiPb store link link]
• Glif Tripod Mount and Stand takes your iPhone from being the best camera to one of the most stable ones as well. [$20.00 - Glif store link]

Your top accessories?

So there you have them, our top 10 best iPhone accessories — cases, chargers, cables, headsets, Bluetooth, and more! — to get you started. Be sure to check out our Picks of the Week and iPhone Accessories Forum for more recommendations, and if we missed any of your favorites leave them in the comments below!

Sponsored by the TiPb iPhone 4 Accessory Store

Top 10 accessories for your iPhone [Sponsored] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

One look at the games being released for this season and it’s easy to think we’re entering into the next great generation of iPhone (and iPad) gaming. Infinity Blade has brought Epic’s Unreal 3 Engine to iOS in grand fashion, with spectacular, real-time environments, fun gameplay, and character models and motion that would have blown me away on a PS2, let alone a handheld device that also surfs the web and makes phone calls. In a day or so we’ll also get Real Racing 2, sequel to Firemint’s Apple Design Award Winning driver, complete with 30 licensed, gorgeously reproduced cars and highly anticipated multiplayer online gaming.

These are features that, until now, were reserved for PC and console games. They’re premium titles, the kind that take the time and effort of small scale motion pictures to make. They’re what’s putting a hurt on Sony’s PSP and Nintendo’s DS business, never mind other smartphones. And they’re on our iPhone, with more and more to come.

In a market where other platforms are now achieving 3rd party software parity with Apple — they have enough of the kind of applications people want on their mobile devices that tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands are quantitative but no longer qualitative differentiators — and raw hardware specs that equal and may soon eclipse iPhone 4, these kinds of games could be the iPhone’s killer apps and Apple’s next short term differentiator.

The first series of iPhone 2G ads were features — the internet in your pocket, music on your phone. The next series of iPhone 3G were centered around “app for that” with every commercial showing off first the apps themselves and later, with iPhone 3GS, what you could do with them. Then the Android Market gained critical mass and with iPhone 4 Apple returned to feature marketing — FaceTime, Retina Display, and battery life (along with a healthy dose of Kodak-style emotion thrown in). But there are already front-facing cameras on competing devices, along with a couple Retina-class displays, and battery life will no doubt catch up as well. Whether or not other platforms get software and user experience to match iPhone 4 is a different question, but the feature checklist will make the advertising moot. Apple’s update cycle means they won’t have a new iOS to show off until March or April’s preview event, new iPad hardware until April, and iPhone 5 until June. But they’ll have these games.

Market share numbers remain dubious metrics. We often see how many OS-running devices competitors sell compared to how many iPhone AT&T sells. It’s hardly news that all other devices combined outsell the iPhone but here’s the thing — Apple still sells a ton of iPhones, 14+ million last quarter and that was the quarter before the traditionally strongest holiday buying season. Apple sold so many iPhones in fact that even Verizon may have conceded ground to line it up for next year. Add to that all the iPod touches sold, and iPads that can run iPhone apps (albeit in fuzzy double chunky mode) and it makes a realistic install base approaching a hundred million mostly compatible devices. (Apple has sold well over 125 million iOS devices but the number still in active use, and able to run modern games is no doubt significantly lower.)

Sure there’s some legacy issues as older devices don’t have cameras or GPS or the RAM and chipset power needed to run current generation games, and some fragmentation between iPhone and iPad, but it’s nothing compared to other platforms and even discounting older devices the install base is huge. (That’s not a debate, developers will tell you that especially when it comes to apps that need to be as carefully coded and optimized as premium games.)

The biggest evidence to support the size of iOS’ install base, the quality and consistency of Apple’s hardware, and the power of their SDK is that we’re seeing games like Infinity Blade and Real Racing 2 on iPhone and… nowhere else. Not yet and probably not for a while. (I still think one look at Unreal Engine 3 for iOS as much as any government antitrust action got Apple to change its mind about cross-compilers and quick).

Talking to developers, they’re happy enough to take on the small challenges of porting their casual games to other mobile platforms as things like Android’s install base and Palm’s easy-peasy PDK make it attractive. Gameloft has almost made a science out of packing their apps for multiple platforms. But console quality, premium games? Those are iPhone only. For now.

As things like Android 2.3 Gingerbread and the accompanying PlayStation Phone app with enhancements and content specifically for gaming get wider penetration, as Microsoft fields Windows Phone with its Apple-like platform control and Xbox Live integration, as RIM flirts with a next-generation OS for the BlackBerry PlayBook, and as Palm gets its post-HP acquisition act together, a lot of things could change and we could see a far more mature, more competitive gaming market.

But if and when it does, it probably won’t be before Apple has iOS 5, iPad 2, and iPhone 5 ready to one-two-three combo 2011, and new set of features to tout in their ads.

Until then, next generation games are all but exclusive to iPhone and for the next few months, that’s the killer app.

Are next-generation games the next iPhone killer app? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Trying to read an iBook or Kindle eBook at night and curious how to switch to white text on a black background so as not to strain your eyes or keep others awake from the glare? Luckily iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad have this feature built right in. We’ll show you how to enable it after the break!

Because “White on Black” is considered a system-wide feature, so all we need to do is head into Settings.

• Open Settings
• Tap General
• Select Accessibility
• Switch “White on Black” to “ON”
• Exit settings, launch iBooks or Kindle, and enjoy!

Bonus tip: If you want to have white on black as a quick option then place it on your triple click home button.

• Settings
• General
• Accessibility
• Triple click home
• White on Black

There you have it! Now can read your books (or web pages, or email, or anything really) as “White on Black” for those lighting situations that require it. If you have an questions, let us know in the comments below.

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…)

Daily Tip: How to read iBooks, Kindle eBooks as “White on Black” is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Maclocks has invented a case and cable system that will keep your iPad safely tethered to any object you can get the cable around. The iPad Lock could be a great solution to those of you who carry your iPad around with you everywhere not because you’re actually using it every second, but because you’re afraid of someone snatching it up.

The first component of the patent-pending iPad Lock is a hard, clear plastic case you can leave on for everyday protection. And since the iPad has no security slot, the case has one built in. That way you can lock the security cable to the case, and loop the cable's other end around a fixed object (like a table). Once the case and cable are locked together, thieves can't detach the case without damaging the iPad.

Although the iPad Lock takes away the portability of the iPad, it may not be a bad idea to use with your desk at work if your co-workers are untrustworthy. I can also imagine places such as museums using the iPad Lock so that they can implement the iPad into their display without fear of it being stolen.

The iPad Lock and Security Case Bundle can be yours for $64.95. Anyone plan to pick one up?

[Maclocks via Engadget]

Lock up your iPad with iPad Lock is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Ascendo’s DataVault Password Manager, a universal app for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad has just received a gigantic, Fort Knox-style update. It already stored all your web logins and credit card and bank account info with power and style but now adds the advanced sync and backup features to match.

I had the chance to check out DataVault during the beta phase and couldn’t find a chink in its armor. It has all the security features an expert needs while still being simple and accessible to someone just getting into security apps for the first time. With optional Windows and Mac desktop clients, if you’re still looking for the perfect mobile password manager, checkout Data

Full updated list and screenshots after the break. If you’re using it or decide to check it out, let us know what you think!

[$9.99 - iTunes link]

• Implemented synchronization with DataVault desktops using Mobile Me.
• Implemented synchronization with DataVault desktops using other WebDav servers; Box.net, Swissdisk.com, Gmx.net, MyDisk.se, MyDrive.ch
• Added Backup & restore using application file sharing (iOS 3.2 or above). Allows user to make multiple, dated backups and move them to & from desktop using iTunes.
• Added support for multi-tasking in iOS 4 allowing users to switch to another application, copy & paste DataVault contents, then switch back to DataVault without having to login.
• Improved timeout to support iOS4 multi-tasking. Please Note: Exiting and restarting DataVault will only require logging in if the inactivity delay has been exceeded.
• Implemented split-panel view on iPad. Displays list or tree of items on the left of screen and item details on the right.
• Implemented search settings to include field labels, field contents and memo field in addition to item name. User-defined for search performance optimization.
• Added user-defined setting for case sensitive search.
• Implemented security alert to send email with GPS location of device in case of failed login attempt.
• Improved in-app browsing of online user guide to include standard browser features like pinch & expand page.
• Added “Select Template” alert when user creates a new item.
• Improved auto-lock security setting so user can quit DataVault and return before end of inactivity delay without have to login.
• Added user setting to choose between 2D or 3D folders for tree display.
• Fixed issue causing list/tree not to appear if user selects wrong synchronization service.
• Corrected security timeout issue causing timeout to remain active after being disabled.
• Improved display of long notes.
• Added “DataVault” to Wi-Fi synchronization service header to make it easier for user to select the right service.
• Enhanced navigation to include improved sync server selection, better keyboard management, iPad button placement and tree display.
• Improved graphics including application icon and launch screen for iPhone 4, improvements to themes.
• Addition improvements including increasing the size of help text, caps lock management, removing references to pasteboard, ability to Cancel sync from device.

DataVault Password Manager for iPhone, iPad updated with advanced sync, backup, more is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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