English Country Tune for iPad has got to be both the best and most challenging puzzle game I’ve come across on the iPhone or iPad to date. There are 17 different worlds, each with their own objectives and filled with 3-dimensional levels.

So far, I’ve mainly spent my time in two worlds: Larve and Adv Larva. The objective in both of these worlds is to move the spheres, called larve, into the cubes, called incubators, by directing the flat square along the world to push the larve to where they need to be. The levels start out easy and primarily 2-dimenional, but quickly turn into challenging 3-dimensional puzzles that really makes you think. When pushing a larve over an edge, the direction it moves is dependent on how your square is positioned when it pushes it. It’s hard to explain, and the way the game described this rule was a bit confusing, but after some experimentation, I was able to figure it out. Some may find this irritating, but it honestly didn’t bother me because, to me, figuring out the rules and patterns is part of the puzzle.

It’s hard to describe in words what the gameplay of English Country Tune is like, so please check out the video of the game in action below. I’ve only seen a small part of what this game can offer, yet already know that English Country Tune is a game I will enjoy playing for a very long time. It requires an immense amount of analytical skills — and as a mathematician, I really appreciate this attribute. But I did warn you — it’s hard.

The Good

• Unique gameplay
• Challenging
• A lot of levels
• Many times, there is more than one level available for play

The Bad

• Borderline too difficult
• Directions are vague

The Conclusion

You don’t play English Country Tune to have fun. You play English Country Tune to be challenged. To exercise your brain. To feel that immeasurable amount of satisfaction and pride when you do complete a level.

4.99 – Download Now

The new iPad has a virtual keyboard, along with all sorts of tips and tricks to make typing easier and faster. Because there are no CTRL or CMD keys, however, you can’t copy, cut, or paste like you can on a Mac or Windows PC. Instead, there’s a popup menu that appears at the tap — or double tap, of a finger. There’s a lot of functionality packed into it to, though how much exactly varies from app to app.

How to cut or copy text

Your iPad allows you to easily copy text from most apps and web pages, and cut text from apps that support text entry (like Notes or Mail). They work the same way. Cut is useful when you want to move text from one place to another. Copy is useful when you want to share text with someone or move it into another app.

1. Double tap in the area you would like to copy.
2. You’ll now see the popup and blue anchors on your screen. You can drag these blue anchors to select the exact text you’d like to copy.
3. One you’re done adjusting your selection just tap Copy or Cut.

You can also opt to select all the text on a give page.

1. Tap the screen
2. When the popup menu appears, tap Select all.
3. Choose Cut or Copy.

How to paste text

Once you’re done copying or cutting text, you’ll be able to paste it into an email, text message, into a form on the web, a Pages document, or any other app on your iPad that allows text entry.

1. Double tap on the screen where you’d like the text to be.
2. A menu will pop up. Click Paste.
3. If you don’t see a paste option, you may not have any text on your clipboard or the text you tried to copy may not be able to be copied.

How to get the definition of a word

If you’re reading on your new iPad and run across a word you don’t know, you can quickly and easily consult the built-in dictionary.

1. Double tap the word you aren’t sure about.
2. A menu will pop up and you can tap Define to view the definition, pronunciation, and more.

Other text editing features

While the above features should be present throughout all of iOS, some apps choose to implement other text edit features.

If you are reading a book in iBooks you will also have the option to highlight text as well.

When composing an e-mail you’ll have the option to increase or decrease the quotation level, or apply other Rich Text formatting like Bold, Italic, or Underline.

Additional resources:

• Everything you need to know about your new iPad
• Even more tips and tricks for new iPad users
• iMore new iPad discussion forums

Despite the latest rounds of super-gigantic iPhone screen size rumors, iMore is hearing that, as of last month, plans for the new iPhone (iPhone 5,1) called for the same 3.5-inch screen as previous generations. While we’re told that isn’t set in stone, and it’s possible Apple could go slightly bigger, there’s doesn’t seem to be any chance for anything even approaching the size of a Galaxy Nexus.

Not only does that come from a good source, but it stands to reason. First, Apple has put a tremendous amount of time, energy, and marketing into the concept of a Retina display. With a Retina display, density can get lower as distance increases — that’s why the new iPad‘s 2048×1536 Retina display at 264 ppi doesn’t need to be as dense as the iPhone 4S‘ 960×640 Retina display at 326 ppi. — but Apple probably wouldn’t push a 960×480 display to 4.65-inches and settle for 248.12 ppi.

They probably wouldn’t bump up the resolution either, because it would break compatibility with existing software. That’s something they deliberately avoided in the past by exactly pixel doubling the older screen resolutions to get to the Retina display, rather than going with an arbitrary size or standard resolution like 720p.

Apple has also paid attention to one-handed ease of use, keeping every inch of the iPhone screen easily accessible — if held in one hand, most people’s thumb can still reach the opposite corner without much difficulty.

Surveys have suggested users would appreciate a larger screen on the iPhone, and perhaps Apple would consider something up to 4-inches. At 960×640, a 4-inch screen would be 288 ppi. A 3.75-inch screen would be 307 ppi. Both are lower than the iPhone 4S but still higher than the new iPad, but they’d let Apple maintain the current resolution and much of the one-handed ease of use.

Nothing bigger than that seems likely, however. Apple also has a way of disregarding market research. The late Steve Jobs liked to quote Henry Ford: “If I had asked my customers what they wanted they would have said a faster horse.”

RIM is losing grip on its own turf, as Apple has surpassed iPhone shipments compared to BlackBerry in Canada, according to recent IDC data. Current estimates place RIM’s 2011 sales in Canada at 2.08 million, versus the 2.85 million iPhones sold in the Great White North. Considering in 2008 BlackBerry out-sold iPhone 5-to-1, this is a pretty big change and a major symbolic victory for Apple. Meanwhile, U.S. sales revenue are down 45%, which, combined with the 23% drop in Canada, resulted in a global revenue dip of 5.9%. Of course, RIM is still doing reasonably well elsewhere in the world, but a hit like that just about cancels out any momentum BlackBerry has internationally.

As a Canadian and a guy who still uses a BlackBerry, it’s a little sad to see RIM slipping, but they’re simply taking way too long to get their next-gen devices out the door. The new CEO, Thorsten Heins, seems set on getting products shipped on time and improving the marketing message, but even ardent BlackBerry loyalists have been waiting for things to pick up for awhile now; it’s no surprise to see market share starting to slip.

Any BlackBerry expatriates in the house? Canadians, how do you feel about the home team losing ground?

Source: Bloomberg

As the patent battle between Samsung and Apple continues to drag on, Apple claims that they had tried to settle out of court between July and September 2010,  before this whole hooplah started.  This is important, because it would indicate that Samsung was fully aware of the patents it was infringing upon. The court filing where Apple claims these previous negotiations reads:

On or about August 4, 2010, Apple representatives met with Samsung in Korea and showed a presentation titled ‘Samsung’s Use of Apple Patents in Smartphones.’ This presentation emphasized Samsung’s copying of the iPhone and identified two of the patents-in-suit (the ’002 and ’381 patents), giving Samsung actual notice of at least these patents, and many more. On or about August 26, 2010, Apple sent Samsung an electronic archive file containing claim charts further illustrating Samsung’s infringement of Apple patents. A presentationdocument that accompanied these claim charts identified the ’002 and ’381 patents as two patents that Samsung products infringed, and it substantiated these allegations with text from the patents and photographs of Samsung devices illustrating infringing functionality. Apple later presented these slides to Samsung at a meeting in Cupertino, California on or about September 9, 2010.

The disagreements between Samsung and Apple span design to 3G,  and even the slide to unlock paradigm. Even as some of these complaints are resolved, there’s no doubt that these two wireless giants will be grappling for months (if not years) to come.

It’s also interesting given the comments made by Steve Jobs in his official biography, where he said he considered Android "grand theft" of iPhone ideas

"I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong," Jobs said. "I'm going to destroy Android, because it's a stolen product. I'm willing to go thermonuclear war on this."

Jobs reportedly told then Google CEO and former Apple board member, Eric Schmidt:

"I don't want your money. If you offer me $5 billion, I won't want it. I've got plenty of money. I want you to stop using our ideas in Android, that's all I want."

So if Apple tried to negotiate, it likely wasn’t for money but for Samsung (and other Android manufacturers) to stop using what he considered “Apple ideas”. While Microsoft has been successful in getting Android manufacturers to pay them licensing fees, and they might have been amenable to working out a similar deal with Apple, simply removing functionality from their products could have been a deal-breaker.

Essentially, Microsoft seems content with merely making Android more expensive, while Apple wan’t to make it less usable. Both want to make it less attractive, but Microsoft is targeting vendors, Apple is targeting their end users.

It’s hard to see the negotiations getting settled if those were the terms.

Source: The Verge

A recent study by Flurry Analytics shows that China the fastest-growing market for iOS and Android app activity; between Q1 2011 and Q1 2012, app sessions have increased 1126%. Yowza. On top of that, Flurry has calculated  that new activations of iOS and Android devices in China has now surpassed the U.S. They project that China will activated 24% of all Android and iOS, which is a stark contrast to 8% at the same time last year, and a smidgen ahead of the 21% activation rate in America. While the U.S. still boasts the most app activity, its lead is shrinking; last year, America accounted for 56% of iOS and Android app sessions, but now account for only 46%. Collectively, China, UK, South Korea, France, Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany and Spain now account for 30% of app activity, and the rest of the world takes up 24%.

Apple has called China an “extremely important” market in their quarterly conference calls for a while now, placing it ahead of Brazil and Russia as an area of focus. Tim Cook has said the demand for Apple products in China is “staggering” and “off the charts”. Apple has also been investing heavily in building Apple Stores in China and getting devices into the country and onto the market.

While this bodes well for the progress of iPhone and iPad in China, I would be really curious to see the breakdown between Android and iOS for these figures. In an absolute sense, the U.S. still spends the most time with apps, but I’m not sure that will be the case in a year’s time, especially as cost-conscious Android handsets continue to proliferate.

Source: Flurry

For today only the iMore iPhone Accessory Store has the OtterBox Commuter Series Case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on sale for only $21.95. That’s a titanic 37% off! Get them before they’re gone!

Shop OtterBox Commuter Series Case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 now!

The OtterBox Commuter Series for the iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 is a perfect on-the-go accessory for everyday handheld technology.

Safeguarding the screen from scratches and the corners from bumps and shocks, this style case offers a unique design with reliable strength. Included is a self-adhering clear protective film to safeguard your iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 touch screen.

Features:

• Layer 1: Self-adhering clear protective film (Cleaning cloth and installation card included)
• Layer 2: Durable silicone mid-layer
• Layer 3: One piece custom molded polycarbonate shell
• Access to all side button features
• Silicone plugs allow access to all ports
• Open access to camera and speaker

The new iPad is really an amazing communication tool. In addition to all the regulars; email, iMessage and FaceTime, the iPad also works with Skype. In fact, most of the great features we love about Skype on our PC or Mac work great on the iPad.

How to download Skype to Your iPad

The first step to using Skype on your new iPad is to download the free Skype app from the App Store by going here:

Log in to the Skype App

You need to have a Skype account created to use the iPad app, so use either your Mac or PC or use Safari on your iPad and go here to create your Skype account.

After you create your account, you're ready to log in to Skype on your iPad. To do so, follow these steps:

1. If you are not already in Skype, touch the Skype icon from your Home screen.
2. Type your Skype Name and Password.
3. Touch the Sign In button below the Password field.

You should not have to enter this log in information again; it is saved in Skype. The next time you touch Skype, it will automatically log you in.

Finding and Adding Skype Contacts

Once you have logged into the Skype app, you will want to start communicating with people. To do so, you will have to find them and add then to your Skype contacts list:

1. If you are not already in Skype, Touch the Skype icon from your Home screen and log in, if asked.
2. Touch the Lists key along the left hand margin.
3. Touch one of the Contacts lists displayed, then touch the the "+" icon  at the top
4. Next, touch the Search Skype Directory and type someone's name, email address or Skype Name. Touch Search to locate that person.
5. Once you see the person you want to add, touch his/her name.
6. Check the picture to make sure you have the right individual
7. Touch Add Contact at the top.
8. Adjust the invitation message appropriately.
9. Touch the Send button to send this person an invitation to become one of your Skype contacts.
10. Repeat the procedure to add more contacts.
11. When you are done, touch the Back key at the top or the Skype Directory key if you are not already in your Skype group.
12. Touch the appropriate Contacts group from the Lists screen to see all the newly added contacts.
13. Newly invited contacts will show up as Pending until they accept the invitation, then you will see them as a regular contact.

How to make Skype calls on your iPad

So far you have created your account and added your contacts. Now you are ready to finally make that first call with Skype on your iPad:

1. If you are not already in Skype, Touch the Skype icon from your Home screen and log in, if asked.
2. Touch the Lists button.
3. Touch a Contact Group to see your contacts.
4. Touch the contact name you wish to call
5. Touch the Video Call or Voice Call button. Sometimes, you don't want to "show yourself" so a voice only call can be helpful.
6. You may see a Mobile or other phone button. Making any other kind of call requires that you pay for it with Skype Credits.

Switching Cameras with Skype

You can show the individual with whom you are talking on Skype your surroundings by "switching" to the back camera of the iPad.

Simply touch the Camera key along the bottom row of icons and choose whether you wish to display the Front Camera, Back Camera or No Camera on the screen.

If you choose No Camera, Skype will still work, but you will just have a voice call without any video image.

Using the My Info tab

Touch the small picture of yourself (your contact image) in the top left hand corner to access the My Info section of Skype.

From this section you can:

1. Change your Status
2. View your profile
3. Set your Call Forwarding options.

How to use Skype call history on your iPad

Recent calls or chats are usually listed with the contacts icons along the left-hand margin of the Skype screen.

Below those icons is the History icon. Touch this to see your recent Skype history. Skype keeps a history of your Skype IM discussions and call logs which is very useful in order to retrieve potentially important information.

How to buy Skype credits or a monthly subscription

Skype-to-Skype calls are free. However, if you want to call people on their landlines or mobile phones from Skype, then you will need to purchase Skype Credits or purchase a monthly subscription plan. This can be done on the Skype web site from the Safari app or from your Mac or PC.

How to IM with Skype chat

In addition to making phone calls, you can also chat via text with other Skype users from your iPad. Starting a chat is very similar to starting a call; follow these steps to do so:

1. If you are not already in Skype, touch the Skype icon from your Home screen and log in if asked.
2. Touch the Lists icon along the left-hand margin.
3. Touch All Contacts, iPad Contacts, Online Contacts, Skype Contacts or any other list to see your grouped contacts.
4. Touch the name of the contact with whom you want to IM.
5. Touch the IM button.
6. Type your chat text and press the Send button. Your IM will appear at the top of the screen.

Skype for iPad supports:

• Instant messaging
• Skype-to-Skype calling
• Calling phones and mobiles
• Receiving Skype calls and calls to Online Numbers
• Sharing screens
• Participating in conference calls
• Skype SMS
• Call forwarding
• Contact list filtering via groups
• Voicemail
• Bluetooth devices

Group video chat and sending files are not supported on Skype for iPad.

Are you using Skype of your iPad? How is it working for you? Let us know in this forum thread.

Angry Birds is everywhere; in Rio, in HD, celebrating the Seasons…now, those pesky pigs and amazing birds have blasted into space.

Angry birds fans rejoice! Angry Birds Space was just released this morning into the App Store where the war between the birds and pigs continues in outer space on tiny planets.

So, what's new in this edition of Angry Birds? Well, zero gravity for one. It is quite a challenge to shoot your bird and have it orbit the pigs – striking its target at just the right time.

In addition to 60 levels of zero gravity battles, Angry Birds Space includes many new birds and new superpowers. One of the bird types, Space Eagles, can be earned through game play or obtained via an in-app purchase.

It’s important to note the iPhone and iPad versions do not sync over iCloud which means your progress will not be saved between multiple devices. So I recommended thinking about which device you think you’ll play most often, and purchase the game for only that device. Otherwise, you’ll have to play through all the levels twice. Disappointing. I know.

I’ve only spent about a minute or two playing Angry Birds Space and am excited about playing more. The new gameplay is going to be new challenge to master because of zero gravity.

How far have you gotten so far?

$0.99 – iPhone – Download now

$2.99 – iPad – Download now

Just get a new iPad and a little overwhelmed with all the app choices in the App Store? AppStart is an iPad starter guide that not only teaches you how to use your iPad, but also provides essential lists of apps for different types of people and different sorts of tasks.

Looking to plan an event? AppStart has a list of apps for that. How about the best fitness apps? AppStart has a list of apps for that too. Want to turn your iPad into your personal assistant? AppStart’s got you covered.

The layout of AppStart is very beautiful and appealing to the eye. It’s like a cross between a newspaper, magazine, and scrapbook. As you scroll through the pages, you’ll find guides on how to get started with your iPad, how to use iCloud, and a seemingly endless number of lists of different sorts of apps. These aren’t just boring lists either. Each lists includes detailed descriptions of each app and explains why it’s even worthy of making their list. It’s clear that the minds behind AppStart didn’t just throw this app together — every app showcased by AppStart was handpicked. If you decided to download one of the app, just tap the price and AppStart will send you directly to the App Store.

The Good

• Gorgeous Design
• Guides are actually interesting to read
• App lists and description are very well done
• Better organized than the App Store

The Bad

• You may find yourself spending a lot of money on apps after downloading AppStart

The Conclusion

AppStart is a much friendlier way to browse for apps than Apple’s App Store. With nearly 50 different lists of apps, everyone is bound find AppStart to be a great asset. AppStart truly is a must-have app for every iPad user.

There is also a version of AppStart available for the iPhone.

Free for iPad – Download Now

$0.99 for iPhone – Download Now