iMore for iPhone is FREE in the App Store! Download now!

The official iMore for iPhone app is here! You read that right! We’ve spent months working on this and we’re incredibly happy to finally be able to share it with the iMore Nation! You’ve been asking for an iMore app for years but we knew we couldn’t just slap the website between two layers of code and throw it into the store — we had to make an experience that was fundamentally better than both the full iMore website and the mobile web view. And I think we’ve done just that!

Working with the stellar team at Nickelfish, including our very own Seth Clifford in the cockpit, the astonishing Tammy Corron in the engine room, and the dynamic duo of Justin Justin Marcucci and Dave Vioreanu behind the blaster cannons, just in case.

From the beginning we made a conscious decision NOT to try and shoehorn every possible feature into version one. Instead, we stripped it down to the most important things: the news, the reviews, the apps, the accessories, the how-tos, and the audio podcasts (pro tip: you can still watch the video podcasts via YouTube in the episode posts!). And then we worked our collective asses off to make a clean, crisp, consistent experience for just those things.

Seth is going to write a post about the design and development process, so I won’t steal his significant thunder here. (He’s stuck on a plane right now, Apple literally approved the app the moment after he took off — we should have tried that earlier!)

This is the beginning. But it’s only the beginning.

We’re already planning the next version of iMore for iOS, and as the name foreshadows, the biggest priority will be delivering an insanely great Retina iPad interface. It. Will. Be. Done. We’re also planning to integrate CoreData so recently read articles will cache, and you’ll be able to Favorite articles to store locally. Adding share via iMessage is on the list, and so is “read later”. We want to add a gesture shortcut to make navigating between stories faster, and we want to add search so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

Commenting is also in the roadmap, but since we’re also hard at work on a better commenting system for iMore, we’re waiting for that before integrating it into the iMore app.

We tried hard to integrate the iMore forums as well, both as an embedded app and as a web extension to the iMore app but it just didn’t work right. Instead of being convenient it was a bit of a collision. So ultimately we made the decision early on to split the iMore Forums out into a separate app. That’s the bad news. The good news is that app is almost done now as well (I have the beta on my iPhone already!).

It’s built on the Tapatalk engine — which if you follow the greater Mobile Nations family of sites you may have already guessed, given that the Android Central Forums app and CrackBerry Forums app have already hit their respective worlds and markets.

The iMore Forums app will be out soon as well, so sit tight! There’s lot’s more to come!

Feedback

Once you’ve downloaded and tried out the FREE iMore for iPhone app, we want to here what you think! We’ve started an official iMore for iPhone app feedback thread in the forums, so jump in there and let us have it! What do you love, what do you hate, what do you want to see in the next update?

Free – Download now

Do you use a stylus with your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad? We all know Steve Jobs called them “yuck!” and an admission of multitouch failure, but that was back when Apple was eager to differentiate themselves from the nasty, eye-pokey, resistive needles of the past. Now that iOS has been embraced by artists and architects, developers and designers, note-takers and annotators, and gamers, styli are making a comeback.

Leanna really got into using a stylus when she did her iPad note-taking roundup. Rene uses them to draw with Procreate and Paper. I figured out I could a stylus to just kill at Draw Something.

Have you had a must-have stylus moment? Are you using a Stylus for writing, drawing, gaming, or just for getting around on your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad? If so, tell me what for in the poll and give me the details in the comments! And if you had a stylus “aha!” moment, jump into the forums and share! (Shhh….)

Back in February, Apple promised that they would be increasing developer revenue share from iAds from 60% to 70%, and today that change has gone into effect. One would hope that this would mean more participation among app developers, especially since the minimum buy-in from advertisers was dropped from $1 million to $100,000 since launch.

Although Apple iAds promised to be way more polished and interactive than your average mobile ad, adoption has been low, and with established players like AdMob offering solutions which simultaneously tackle multiple platforms, there’s no sign of iAd’s position changing.

Any developers in the house getting anywhere with iAds? Everyone else, have you been particularly smitten by any of the few iAds you’ve bumped into?

Rumor has it that Apple is quietly tinkering with a new device dedicated to making gaming easier on iOS devices. During their 2012 iPad review, AnandTech mentioned:

 I know of an internal Apple project to bring a physical controller to market, but whether or not it will ever see the light of day remains to be seen. As smartphones and tablets come close to equalling the performance of current game consoles, I feel like the controller problem must be addressed.

The best third-party attempt at hardware remotes dedicated to mobile that I’ve seen to date is Zeemote. but if Apple ends up providing native Bluetooth connection support for standard game controllers like the PS3′s, it may circumvent the need for Apple to make anything themselves. Personally, I think the Wii remote would be best suited for the job, at least from a style standpoint.

Apple is most definitely targeting gaming consoles with the new iPad, so the possibility isn’t too far-out. Still, any game which makes use of AirPlay basically turns the iOS device into a controller while the image is beamed to your TV. If this Apple project actually comes to fruition, I worry that it will be some bastardized version of the Apple TV remote that isn’t remotely ergonomic like the mock-up above, but until we get some more fuel for this rumour, that’s not something we have to worry about for the immediate future. Besides that, who knows if it will be used with iOS, or will just be another Apple TV peripheral.

Gamers, how much are you hurting for an Apple-approved dedicated controller? What kind of controller would you like? Are touchscreen controls good enough for you as they are?

Source: AnandTech

Facebook for iPhone and iPad had been updated and now allows users to go offline in chat. Before, you would have to go offline from the web if you wanted to be offline on you iPhone or iPad (seriously). Many of us have been asking for this improvement for quite some time, so it’s great to see Facebook respond.

Facebook has also fixed several of the most annoying bugs that have been rampant in the app, and instead of the mysterious “bug fixes” that Facebook typically includes in their update notes, they’ve actually listed which bugs have been addressed in this update:

• The right profile picture appears for everyone
• Your list of friends always includes all your friends
• In sets of photos, your name is displayed correctly
• Photos of people who like Facebook Pages load correctly
• Your friend-request notification only lights up if you have a request

That’s not April Fool’s mind you. Those were genuine bugs. So all I can say is — thank you, Facebook! The profile picture bug was the one that was driving me the most crazy, so I’m happy to see this fix. (Well, the time that my profile picture was Steve Wozniak for a the day was actually kind of cool). One of the most annoying Facebook bugs, however, is the one that doesn’t initially display all the likes and comments on a photo when navigating to it from notifications, and it looks like that one wasn’t addressed. Maybe next time.

For International users, Facebook has added language support for Czech, Danish, Greek, Indonesian, Malaysian, Norwegian (Bokmal), Portuguese (Portugal) and Thai.

Lastly, the iPad version of the Facebook app now supports the new iPad’s Retina display.

How are you liking this update so far? Are you still experiencing any of the bugs that Facebook claimed to fix? Have you encountered any new bugs? Let us know in the comments below!

Free – Download Now

An eight-year-old kid from Tennessee was able to track down some burglars that had broken into his home and stolen his iPad by using an Apple-made location-tracking app. The Find my iPad app helped police locate the hotel where these thieves were staying, and their stash of $350,000-worth of stolen loot amassed over other break-ins. The kid, Landon Crabtree, is going to get the key to the city for his help.

We hear stories like this every so often, but I think the real news here is that apps like Find my iPad and Find my iPhone are still a surprise to a lot of people. Google has a similar system in place with Latitude, and BlackBerry has a security suite called Protect that not only can track down via GPS, but also remotely lock and wipe devices, much like Find my iPad. For those of us steeped in mobile tech, the fact that location of your phone or tablet can be remotely pinpointed is kind of old hat, but I know plenty of late adopters that are freaked out by the idea. Stories like this definitely serve to combat those Big Brother anxieties.

Apple’s products tend to be hot commodities for muggers… Have any of you new iPad owners had to deal with theft? Is there really anything to worry about if you’ve got Find my iPad or Find my iPhone installed?

Add your experience to our True tales of Find my iPhone in the iCloud Forum.

Source: MSNBC via 9to5Mac

Have you ever wanted to capture what was on your iPad screen? Show off a high score in Angry Birds Space or capture a masterpiece from Draw Something?

Capturing your iPad screen is easy to do, and is built right into iOS. With the touch of two buttons, anything you see on that big Retina display can be saved right to your Camera Roll and, from the Photos app, quickly shared via email, Twitter, iMessage, and more. It’s a great trick and can really come in handy any time you want to remember or pass along something you see on your iPad.

How to capture your iPad screen

In the image above, look at the two buttons: the one on the front, below the screen, is the Home button. The one on the top, on the backside of the bezel, is the Sleep/Wake button. Press both buttons at the same time and you will hear the Camera sound and see the screen go white for just a second.  That's all there is to it – your screen is now captured.

If you have trouble getting the timing just right, simply hold down one button for a second and, while holding it down, quickly click the other. For example, hold down the Sleep/Wake button and quickly click the Home button (or vice versa).

How to find your iPad screen shots

Start your Photos app and go either to the Photos tab at the top or to your Photo Stream if it is turned on in iCloud. You will see your images right at the bottom.

You can also start up your Camera app and touch the Camera Roll at the bottom left to see your screenshots.

How to use and share your iPad screenshots

iPad screenshots behave just like any other photo. You can Edit your photo, Email it, send in via iMessage, assign it to a Contact, Use it as Wallpaper or Tweet it. If you were in the Facebook app, you can also upload it to show the world you new high score or whatever it is you captured on your screen.

Capturing your screen is easy, fun and a great way to quickly share what you are looking at on your iPad with others.

Do you use the screenshot feature often? Share your experiences in this forum thread.

Nokia has kicked off an ad campaign called Smartphone Beta Test, which features mock video clips roughly describing the development process of the iPhone, and suggest that end consumers are just a part of some big public beta test. That’s pretty funny considering Microsoft said that Windows Phone would take about five years after launch to fully mature, but let’s leave that alone for now. One fictional product manager tries to raise performance issues relating to display quality outdoors, fragility of the phone against impact, and reception issues (better known as the infamous Death Grip). Of course, he’s talked down to by two coworkers telling him ridiculous things like “so don’t go outside” and feeding him the classic “you’re holding it wrong” line.

While you might expect this sort of thing from Nokia, AT&T’s participation is surprisingly aggressive considering their close relationship with Apple. One graphic dug up from the site’s source code shows AT&T store locations on a map and a caption that reads “If you’ve used a smartphone in the last 5 years, it was a tester. To exchange your phone for the Lumia 900, visit an AT&T location today.”

I found Samsung’s anti-iPhone ads pretty funny, but something about these is just dated. Are we really still trying to bust Apple’s chops about antennagate? Anyway, here are the ads. Downvote at will.

Source: WPCentral

Add Calgary, Alberta and Halifax, Nova Scotia to the list of places you can get blisteringly fast 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) Rogers networking on your new iPad. Edmonton is next, and it doesn’t sound like they’re slowing down any time soon.

Rogers LTE network now reaches close to 12 million people or one third of the Canadian population. By the end of the year, it will reach nearly 60 per cent.

I’ve been using Rogers LTE in Montreal for several months, including a demo USB stick before the new iPad shipped and it’s been consistently fast. Granted, there aren’t a lot of devices that can use LTE yet, and not a lot of peopl on the towers yet, but with the new iPad, that’s going to change sooner rather than later.

Getting 50Mbps down while at the coffee shop, 30Mbps down while at the lake, even 12Mbps down while on the fringe of the island is an incredible experience. HSPA+ can come close matching the low- to mid-level of those speeds, but LTE just annihilates it on uplink. It’s especially great while tethering over Personal Hotspot, especially when you consider the giant iPad battery can last 24hrs if that’s all you’re doing with it.

If you’re in Calgary or Halifax, and sometime later this year, Edmonton, and you have an LTE iPad, give it a speed test and let us know what you’re getting. Then let us know what you’re doing with all that speed.

Source: Rogers

For today only the iMore Accessory Store has the Seidio CONVERT Combo for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on sale for only 29.95. That’s an awesome 40% off! Get them before they’re gone!

• Shop Seidio CONVERT Combo for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 now!

Do you have one phone and multiple cases? Eliminate the need for two different cases with this CONVERT Combo.

Put on the first layer, the Innocase II Surface, when using your iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 everyday. When you’re in tough or rugged conditions put on the Rugged Skin and Skeleton and securely hold your iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 wherever you go with the Seidio Locking Holster. When you don’t need the extra protection, simply remove the Rugged Skin and Skeleton.

This combo includes the Ultimate Screen Guard, Innocase II Surface, a Rugged Skin and Skeleton and the Innocase Rugged holster.

Ultimate Screen Guard

• Only 0.1mm thick and retains your touch screen’s sensitivity and clarity
• Good surface hardness with a 3H hardness rating
• Designed specifically for iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 ensuring a precise fit
• Innocase II Surface

1mm thin case provides scratch protection without adding bulk

• Designed from a hard, yet flexible material
• Seidio’s signature Soft Touch coating
• Simple slide-in design makes installation and removal easy
• Precision cutouts for port, controls, and camera
• Rugged Skin and Skeleton

2.5mm thin silicone case that fits over Innocase II Surface

• All controls are covered to keep dust and dirt out and remain functional
• Ports and camera are covered, but silicone covers can be removed
• Plastic frame fits over the back of the case for tighter fit and added protection
• Innocase CONVERT Holster

Fits up to a 2″ duty or utility belt

• Securely holds your iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 with locking mechanism on top clip
• Swivel clip allows you to position your device in 7 different ways

 

Ashton Kutcher looks set to play the role of Apple’s co-founder, the late Steve Jobs in an indie film which will be called simply "Jobs". Kutcher who currently stars in ”Two and a Half Men” is believed to have been cast in the main role according to a report by Variety.

The film will chronicle Steve Jobs from wayward hippie to co-founder of Apple, where he became one of the most revered creative entrepreneurs of our time.

The film will be directed by Joshua Michael Stern from a script by Matt Whiteley. The finance for the film is being provided by Five Star Institute’s Mark Hulme. The film will begin production in May; which lines up nicely with Ashton Kutcher's hiatus from the hit CBS series.

This film is not to be confused with the Sony film which is based on the recent best-selling book Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson; this is an entirely independent venture.

Source: Variety; Image: Wikipedia

At 4.6-inches the new HTC One X is among the biggest new iPhone competitors, but are Android 4 and Sense 4 enough to make it one of the best?

Android Central has a complete HTC One X review up for your reading pleasure, along with a thorough Sense 4 walkthrough showing us everything that’s new and exciting about what just might be, frankly the most exciting new phone from HTC since the Nexus One (notice the similarity in branding?)

Phil Nickinson is pretty much enamored with the HTC One X, loving the display, camera, power, and Sense 4 interface, even if the non-removable battery, lack of a microSD card and giant 4.7-inch screen might not be to everyone’s taste.

The leader of the next-generation HTC One series of smartphones has been a breeze to use. Android 4.0 has been improved upon with HTC Sense 4 while still retaining the overall look, feel and function of Ice Cream Sandwich, which in and of itself has an excellent user experience. The camera is a high point, Beats Audio makes music sound better, and you get a bunch of online storage thrown in for free. HTC easily has a winner in the One X.

User swappable batteries and expandable memory used to be two of the things Android users said they preferred over the sealed iPhone appliance model, so it’s interesting to see HTC lose those as a differentiator. They’ve joined the massive screen size brigade, however, something Apple probably won’t be doing any time soon.

Vendor specific interfaces are the subject of a lot of disagreement in the Android community, with some disliking them intensely compared to the stock Google experience, and others finding them far more accessible and user friendly. So how did Sense 4 rate?

This latest version of Sense actually is a step backward (or forward, depending on who you ask) in that HTC has ditched the completely custom launcher, instead going with a more traditional (and customizable) scheme, more akin to what’s in stock Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Some features native to ICS have been allowed to shine through, and others have been enhanced. And many of the customizations we’ve come to know and love in previous versions remain.

Samsung will no doubt be releasing a Galaxy S III at some point, and now that Google owns Motorola, Droid might once again do and do well. And of course, Apple will almost certainly be bringing a new iPhone to the table again this fall. Things change fast in the Android universe and Apple can change the game within the span of a single keynote.

But for right now, kudos to HTC for getting back in the game. They probably won’t match the sheer sales numbers of the iPhone 4S but they don’t have to — their competition right now is other Android manufacturers. And for the first time in a while, they look like a serious contender.

Check out the video below, hop on over to Android Central for tons more HTC One X coverage, and then come back and tell us what you think. How does the HTC One X stack up to the iPhone 4S?