We’ve kicked off another week here at iMore and thus far, it’s been busy as always. If you missed anything from the weekend, be sure to get yourself caught up either here on the blogs or in the iMore forums. You can register now to get started today and while you’re at it, check out some of the threads below:

• iPhone 4S Forum: Have Android but considering an iPhone
• iPhone 4 Forum: WiFi keeps turning off, seemingly for no reason
• iCloud Forum: How to totally remove iCloud?
• iPad Apps and Games Forum: iPad app for streaming video..suggestions?
• Jailbreak and Unlock Forum Let’s see your Jailbroken iPhone 4S screens!

If you’re not already a member of the iMore Forums, register now!

If you’re new to iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and are wondering just what exactly AirPlay is and what it means to you, worry not — iMore has you covered. AirPlay is Apple’s term for their audio and video streaming technology. It’s what lets your iOS 5 device, or iTunes on Mac or Windows, beam videos over Wi-Fi to your Apple TV so you can watch movies and play games on your big screen TV, or music to your AirPort Express router, so you can listen on your higher quality speakers.

AirPlay Mirroring is a more recent addition to iOS that lets you not only beam music or video, but entire iPhone or iPad apps. Anything from Facebook to your favorite crosswords, racing, or fighting game can be sent via Apple TV to your HDTV, with your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad remaining active as the controller. Some games, like [Real Racing 2](http://www.imore.com/tag/real-racing 2) even let you participate in multiplayer games using AirPlay, with each person using their own device to control their own car, all displayed together on the big screen TV.

AirPlay is proprietary and not an open standard, which means Apple gets to control who uses it. Several other companies have licensed AirPlay, however, and you can find a growing range of AirPlay-compatible audio equipment. There’s also some software out there that can run on your computer and tie into AirPlay, like BananaTV that lets you beam to your Mac instead of a TV.

Your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or computer running iTunes needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV, Airport Express, or other hardware for AirPlay to work, but because Wi-Fi has high bandwidth it usually makes for a solid, stable connection. It’s real time. It’s encrypted. And most of the time, it “just works”

Want to know more? Check out more of our iOS A-Z words-of-the-day, or jump ahead to our complete iPhone and iPad glossary for the full on dictionary list!

• Apple TV – Amazon link
• AirPlay compatible speakers – Amazon link

Epson has recently released an app that lets you project images and files from your iPhone or iPad to a compatible Epson projector. If the projector has network availability, then beaming your photos, PowerPoint and Keynote presentations, PDFs, and more, is just a tap of a button.

Epson iProjection is an intuitive mobile projection app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Epson iProjection makes it easy to wirelessly project images and files stored on your iOS devices using an Epson projector with network availability (see applicable projectors). Move about the room and effortlessly display content from your iOS device (see supported formats) on the big screen.

• Display documents loaded in the Epson iProjection app using your Epson projector
• Display images stored in your iOS “Photo” library
• Use the built-in projector remote control feature to control input sources, AV mute, freeze, audio settings, and more
• Send files from your email or cloud storage apps to iProjection app

Epson iProjection is available on the iPhone and iPad for Free.

• App Store link

Source: Epson

Have an app you’d love to see featured on iMore? Email us at iosapps@imore.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Ten One Design has just announced their latest and greatest capacitive stylus for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch — the Pogo Sketch Plus. What makes this newer, better version so newer and better?

This sleek capacitive touchscreen stylus features new patent pending Pro Tip technology that consists of patterned structures within the tip itself, which provides greater sensitivity while providing an even smaller tip diameter for superior precision. Typing, navigating and drawing have never been easier! For added portability, Pogo Sketch Plus also has a useful pocket clip to secure in place for on-the-go travel.

Both size and consistency of contact have been challenging on capacitive screens like the iPhone and iPad. It will be interesting to see how this new approach works.

Source: Ten One Design

Imagine for a moment that Apple had come to market with a Microsoft Surface-style multitouch table, then take a look at these concept pictures of what it could have been. Forget workstations showing off blue screens of death, instead replace those thoughts with beautiful functional workspaces where placing your iOS device on the table could initiate an iTunes or iCloud sync.

The desk could sync with your Mac or potentially have a Mac built in, perhaps with a portion of the desk's surface angled upward to serve as a display. Tactile keyboards could likewise be replaced by a digital touch-sensitive version (endlessly configurable to your preferences for individual apps), and any part of the desk's surface could be cordoned off as a trackpad area. Files could be transferred easily between Macs, iPhones, iPads, and so on by sitting the devices on the desk and swiping file icons across its surface from one device to the other. Shared files could be passed between coworkers via digital inboxes, designated digital "trays" that collect documents sent from other iDesks. And of course, the desk would wirelessly sync to your iCloud account to keep calendars, contacts, and other data updated across all your gizmos.

Now wake up and stop dreaming! Unfortunately this is just an artist's rendition created by designer Adam Benton. It is worth looking at as it may show what the future could hold in the workspace. If it turns out anything like these concept pictures then exciting times are ahead.

Source: Mac Life via 9to5Mac

So the iPad 2 untethered jailbreak is now live, and just like with the iPhone, Ally has already posted — and keeps updating — her simply superb iPad 2 jailbreak how-to, but given that iPad jailbreaking has historically been less popular than iPhone jailbreaking, I’m left to wonder how many of you have actually cracked open your bigger screened iOS devices? How many of you have jailbroken your iPad 2?

iPhones are on-the-go, getting things done, highly “mobile accomplisher” devices so jailbreaking for extra features and productivity makes a lot of sense. iPads tend to be feet-up, relaxing, focusing, general purpose devices, so maybe members of the iMore nation don’t feel as compelled to Jailbreak?

But we want you to tell us. Now that the iPad 2 jailbreak is here, is it a must do and no need? Vote in the poll up top and give us your reasons — pro, con, or still on the fence — in the comments below.

According to Pew Research, tablet ownership among U.S. consumers nearly doubled from 10 percent to 19 percent over the holiday season.

The Pew project conducted three surveys, one in mid-December and two at the beginning of 2012. The results show a marked increase in ownership of tablets, e-readers, and the hybrids that exist somewhere between those two categories.

Pew and Venturebeat seem eager to credit the jump almost purely to Amazon Kindle Fire and other, similar low-priced entrants. That’s not entirely unfair since, frankly, cheap and good-enough sells. These are also U.S. numbers, which is the only market Amazon is competing in at the moment.

Apple will likely give us iPad 2 holiday numbers during their Q1 2012 conference call tomorrow. Amazon so far has declined to give specific Kindle numbers, and that may not change any time soon.

One thing is for certain — it may finally be a tablet market, not just an iPad market, and a growing one at that. (And Apple hasn’t even release the anticipated iPad 3 yet, so stay tuned.)

Source: Pew Research Center via VentureBeat

Never ones to wait on official Apple numbers, which could be coming as soon as Apple’s Q1 2012 results call tomorrow, analysts are already trying to peg Apple’s foray into the digital textbook market at 350,000 education-centric iBooks in the first 3 days. AllThingsD quotes reports:

According to Global Equities Research, the supply chain markup on textbooks ranges between 33 percent and 35 percent. So there are savings to be had in cutting out that publisher-to-distributor-to-wholesaler-to-retailer process.

Likewise, iBooks Author, a tool used to create eBooks for the iPad, reportedly sold through 90,000 downloads from the Mac App Store during the same period.

Global Equities Research, however, won’t discuss how they get those numbers, so weigh them accordingly. Or just wait and see what Apple says tomorrow.

Source: AllThingsD

iMore is heading over to the newly rebranded 2012 Macworld | iWorld Expo in San Francisco next week, to check out the accessories and talk to the awesome app developers that make us all the iPhone and iPad stuff we love. We’ll be bring the very best to you in video and post form, so if there’s something you want to see, something you want to show off, or if you just want to say hello, let us know!

You can follow all the action right here:

www.iMore.com/tag/macworld2012.

Team iMore will be represented by yours truly, Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie) and Leanna Lofte (@llofte).

So, keep your browsers locked on iMore.com for all the news, and follow us crazy kids for the behind the scenes shenanigans. (There tends to be lots of both!)

Want to join us at Macworld | iWorld? Here’s all the information you need!

AntiCrop is an iPhone and iPad app that will extend the background your photos as a method of “uncropping” them. It’s similar to Content Aware Fill in Photoshop CS5 and works surprisingly well.

When I came across this app I was immediately negative and didn’t believe it would work very well. Well, I’m impressed how it handled the photo above even though it’s not an ideal candidate for this type of manipulation. This app isn’t intended to be used on photos with complex backgrounds, but even though my photo had some buildings in the background, AntiCrop did a pretty good job! Sure, if you look closely, you can see some weird stuff happening with the buildings, but most people won’t be inspecting the photo and not even notice.

Inside this app lies a highly intellectual content filling tool that adds pixels to the expanded area of your photo. It's highly recommended for all kinds of backgrounds and homogeneous textures. Great results are achievable when working with nature landscapes, backgrounds and much more. If you want to make some unique creations, AntiCrop can help there, too. All you need is imagination and a willingness to experiment.

• World’s first app with anti-cropping algorithm
• Uncrop photos in any direction
• Lossless straighten technique
• Attractive, easy to use interface
• Optimized for multi-core processors
• Brought to you by the developers of TouchRetouch

AntiCrop is available on the iPhone and iPad for $0.99.

• App Store link

Have an app you’d love to see featured on iMore? Email us at iosapps@imore.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Jailbreaking your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and need to know how to troubleshoot all those annoying little errors, bugs, and assorted problems that crop up along the way? Whether you’re having issues getting your device to jailbreak or running into problems after you’ve jailbroken, we’ve got the answers to lots of common problems.

First make sure you’re performing the process correctly. If you need a guide or tutorial, we’ve most likely got you covered.

• Guides to jailbreaking and jailbreak basics

If you know you’re performing the process correctly but you’re running into an error, we’ve got a whole list troubleshooting steps you can try and we add more to it all the time. If you find a new issue, let us know!

• How to troubleshoot common issues during the jailbreak process

If none of the guides or troubleshooting tips seem to solve your problem, you can check out our general jailbreak forums. We’ve got the answers to a variety of questions and a huge community that’s ready and willing to help you out.

• General jailbreak help forums

For today only, the iMore Store has the OverBoard Pro-Sport Waterproof Case for iPhone on sale for only $24.95!. Get them before they’re gone!

Get the OverBoard Pro-Sport Waterproof Case for iPhone now!

Kick’n Chick’nz: Medieval Karnival: A hilariously funny new game full of exciting carnival arcade style games, unique gameplay dynamics plus beautiful 3D graphics and animations. The story begins with a wee tyke named “Margie”, aye she’s a tuffy…and a spoiled one at that!

• $0.99 for iPhone – App Store link

QR Pal – QR Code Scanner and Barcode Reader: The most advanced QR Code Scanner and Barcode Reader available which enables users to scan, store, share and pay. QR Pal is the only QR Code Scanner that rewards its users for scanning and sharing with monthly cash prizes. QR Pal also includes SafeScan giving you peace of mind that your scanning is always secure. You can even compare prices of products using the in-built Barcode Reader!

• Free for iPhone – App Store link

Phase – Blinky’s Adventure: Built using the Unreal Development Kit from Epic Games, Phase – Blinky’s Adventure follows the voyage of Blinky, a robot sent to explore an unknown planet in search of a new home.

• $1.99 for iPhone and iPad – App Store link

Icon Craft: Create one-touch shortcut icons on your home screen for actions such as making a call or sending a message.

• $0.99 for iPhone – App Store link

Baby Game: Cutie Frog/Cat/Crab: A simple app that lets your child pull on a fog, cat, or crab’s eyes and lips.

• Frog, $1.99 for iPhone and iPad – App Store link
• Cat, $1.99 for iPhone and iPad – App Store link
• Crab, $1.99 for iPhone and iPad – App Store link

Any other big app or game releases or updates today?

Have an app you’d love to see featured on iMore? Email us at iosapps@imore.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Reckless Racing 2 is set to arrive in the App Store on February 2^nd. The sequel to the hugely popular original game was previously slated for a December launch last year; but has obviously suffered one or two delays along the way. The new launch date of February 2^nd was revealed in a Twitter reply by the games developer Polarbit.

Reckless Racing 2 is expected to have many new features including a full single player campaign, longer and more dangerous tracks, better graphics and new car models. No news on pricing or if this will be a universal app for all platforms. We will let you know as soon as we find out anymore.

Source: Pocket Gamer

If there’s one thing iMore loves even more than iPhones and iPads, it’s giving cool iPhone and iPad accessories and apps to our awesome readers. This week we have…

Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone

• Paul Costello

Congratulations!

System Monitor with Battery Max

• Brecht
• Brian Scholder
• Derek Scott
• gooner21
• heatwave316
• Jorge Diaz
• midnght69
• pst
• Roger Reid
• smmiami

- App Store link

Movies HD for iPad

• Delano
• Jason Vick
• John
• RevTucher
• snowbutterfly

- App Store link

Frequencies for iPhone

• Austin
• Enzo83
• Jimny
• Ray Norris
• suzannesstud

- App Store link

Run Roo Run HD for iPad

• Cuilo
• Douse
• Eric
• josh
• Songsak

- App Store link

New Year Diet Month

• Allen
• enlightened
• Paul Bunzey
• Steven
• Zarrar

- App Store link

More chances to win

Didn’t win anything this time? Never win anything? We know how you feel! Luckily, we have tons more chances for you to win, so hurry up and enter everything!

• Reminder: Follow iMore to win a Jawbone JAMBOX and $200 in iTunes gifts
• Review: Mujjo capacitive touchscreen gloves for iPhone and iPad
• Inside Otterbox: How iPhone and iPad cases are designed, tested, and made awesome
• Pick of the Week: Enter to win a $10 iTunes gift certificate!
• Giveaway: Apple Store Headphone Stand Replica
• App Giveaway: SOULCALIBUR for iPhone and iPad
• Review + giveaway: Spiderarm articulated stand for iPad
• Giveaway: 3 Deluxe licenses for iPad/iPad 2 video tutorials by Made Simple Learning
• Review + giveaway: Choiix Wake Up Folio for iPad 2

 

There are hundreds of thousands of iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps for just about everything — so how come the one you need, the one you know just has to be there, is so hard to find? Enter TiPb’s new weekly feature where staff and readers alike sort through the App Store and help you find just the right App for That. This week, our very own Chris Oldroyd asks:

I need an app to produce passport compliant photographs for a new passport. Any ideas?

To see what we found for Chris, follow along after the break!

ID-Photo – Biometric passport/ID photos [$1.99 - App Store link] is and iPhone and iPad app for creating passport and identification photos. It knows the sizing requirements in 14 countries and will set up your photo to be printed at the legally required size.

When taking your photo, ID-Photo overlays guidelines onto the camera so that you can be certain that your photo will meet the requirement. It also lets you make adjustments to contrast, brightness, sharpening, and grayscale. Additionally, the app has a list of tips for taking your photo and examples of both acceptable and unacceptable photos.

Once your photo is prepared, it is very easy to email or print to an Airplay compatible printer. Just tell ID-Photo the paper size and it’ll take care of the rest!

Anyone else have any App for That suggestions for Chris? Let him — and all of us — know.

Having trouble finding what you need in the app store? Head on over to our App for That Forum and let us know what you’re looking for. The iMore community will do our best to find you just the right App for That!

Birkley Breathed’s Bloom County was my two favorite comic strips growing up, and now it’s starting to become available in iBooks. From Bill the Cat’s run for president to Milo’s skewering of Senator Bedfellow to Oliver’s landing the space shuttle to Opus’… everything, it delighted me on a daily basis.

The iBook’s implementation isn’t ideal, at least in my brief skim-through — the pages don’t turn as easily as a regular iBook and instead the double page spread slides and flops, and only the first three volumes are currently available, but I applaud them getting it into the iBookstore to begin with and look forward to the whole series.

Hopefully Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes, my other favorite, will join it in iBooks soon. (Like Bloom County, I bought the complete series the day it went on sale but would dearly love it in digital form as well.)

Adorn your virtual shelf with it now.

• Bloom County Vol. 1 – $7.99 – iBookstore link
• Bloom County Vol. 2 – $7.99 – iBookstore link
• Bloom County Vol. 3 – $7.99 – iBookstore link

It’s actually happened — after bringing BlackBerry from pager to the top of the smartphone world only to see the iPhone and Android all but demolish their share, RIM today announced founders and co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie would be stepping down, and current operations head Thorsten Heins would be taking over as the new, unified CEO.

And one of his first official acts was to call our own Kevin Michaluk, founder of CrackBerry.com and #1 BlackBerry fanboy.

It’s hard to express just how big of a change this is for RIM. Let’s put it this way. Since launching CrackBerry.com in 2007 I have been wanting to get an interview with RIM’s CEOs. It has never happened. With Thorsten, it happened in literally minutes, and it wasn’t even me who asked for it to happen, but rather it was the CEO wanting to do it. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Mike and Jim and all they have done for BlackBerry over the years, but it’s clear that for BlackBerry to thrive again RIM needed a shake up, and I think Thorsten is going to do an amazing job leading the way.

With their marketshare continuing to slide, lackluster PlayBook sales, and QNX/BlackBerry 10 superphones still months away, it’s clear RIM needed to do something to reassure investors and enthusiasts alike. Here’s wishing Heins every success. Strong BlackBerry competition is good for everyone. Bring it on.

Source: CrackBerry.com