Earlier today, Twitter updated its iPhone app to version 4.3 that included new features like expanded tweets, per-user notifications, and more. For new Twitter users, this update is excellent.

When you first log into Twitter for iPhone, you are taken through a series of screens that help you find people to follow from your address book and by category. Once taken into the app, it's clear that Twitter's focus is to keep the interest of new users with the #Discover tab and "Similar to" section of user profiles.

The #Discover tab allows users to view Twitter-selected tweets by people who share your interests, view activity of those you follow (like who they are following and tweets they have favorited), check out the latest trends, see a list of users that Twitter recommends you follow, browse categories, and find friends.

One of the most bragged about new features of Twitter for iPhone is what they call Expanded Tweets. It's still in the rollout phase, but what it does is let you see content previews, view images, play videos, and more when viewing the Tweet details containing links to partner websites. For example, if someone includes a link to a YouTube video, you'll be able to watch it right there in the Tweet details. With that said, I have yet to see that work with a YouTube or Vimeo video (both of whom are partner websites), but Twitter has stated that this feature is rolling out slowly. The only embedded content I've experience is photos -- something that's popular in many other Twitter clients.

Another big feature of the new Twitter for iPhone is the ability to subscribe to receive a notification every time a specific user sends a tweet. For example, if I turn on notifications for @reneritchie from his profile, I can go into Twitter for iPhone settings and turn on notifications for his tweets. Now, whenever @reneritchie sends a tweet, I will receive a notification. This is a pretty nifty feature and is a great way to make sure you don't miss tweets from those you deem extra important.

The last main feature I want to address is actually one I really like and hope to see other Twitter clients and apps start using -- ambient notifications. Instead of an intrusive popup at the top of screen notifying you of actions, like when your tweet sends, Twitter for iPhone slides away the status bar and replaces it with the notification. This is so awesome because it doesn't interfere with how you interact with the app when the notification appears and prevents you from accidentally tapping on it.

The good

• Great for new users
• Expanded Tweets let you view content while viewing Tweet details
• Subscribe to receive notifications when specific users send tweets
• Ambient notifications are totally awesome

The bad

• Missing a lot of features that a lot of power-users have grown accustomed to (I'm not even going to list them)

The conclusion

As Rene pointed out, this update is not for Twitter power users, but for new, mainstream users. Your typical power user will take one glance at this update and move on, but for the new generation of Twitter users who don't have many followers, rarely DM, and follow a lot of celebrities, Twitter for iPhone 4.3 is an excellent update.

Free - Download Now

After what felt like an eternity for many users, Google has updated their social networking app Google+ to include native iPad support. It features a side-scrolling stream and lots of gestures to interact with content. The content on your stream is also styled based on popularity, type and orientation. The iPhone version of Google+ also now includes the ability to create and manage Google+ events.

The layout of Google+ on the iPad is very nice and displays content in squares. A little less than six square fit on the screen at a time and some content will take up two or four squares. Google+ determines this styling based on popularity, type, and orientation. I'm a fan of this styling as it adds some variety to my stream and is visually appealing.

To scroll through your stream while in landscape, you actually scroll left and right, not up and down. This was strange at first, because I naturally wanted to scroll up and down, but the side-scrolling is actually superior when using Google+ in landscape orientation because of the way the boxes of content fit on the screen. When in portrait orientation, scrolling is the more traditional up and down. My only complaint about scrolling is that it's not very smooth. I always expect apps to have buttery smooth scrolling; unfortunately, Google+ doesn't provide such an experience.

When you tap on content in your Google+ stream, the image will take over the background and the links and text from the content will appear in the center of the bottom of the screen. From here, you can reply, share, +1, or leave a comment. You can also scroll through all the comments left on the post. As you scroll, the popup will expand upwards over the photo in the background. I really like the implementation of photos in the background, but for small images that don't take up the entire screen, the little popup will cover too much of the photo.

You can also add +1 and add comments to posts in your stream by tapping the designated button on the content boxes.

One of the really cool gestures of Google+ for iPad is how you share content from your stream. Simply "grab" the post with two fingers. The outline of a box will appear in the upper right corner indicating where to drag the content to. When you do, the outlined box will transform into a box where you can "share your thoughts" and indicates who originally shared the post.

Sharing original content is very similar. Just tap the little pen icon in the upper right corner. Three little boxes will slide out from the right for adding a status/text, photo, or location.

Tapping the icon in the upper left will slide out a column that displays your notifications as well as access to your Home, Profile, Hangout, Find People, and Settings pages.

The good

• Very nice design
• Pinch or tap to expand posts
• Use two fingers to drag a post from your stream to easily re-share it
• Start a Hangout from your iPad and stream it to your TV using AirPlay

The bad

• Scrolling could use a lot of work

The conclusion

Google is off to a great start with Google+ for iPad. It's gorgeous and features a lot of fun and helpful gestures. However, the scrolling is far from perfect and has a serious impact on the experience. Hopefully Google address that soon -- especially since I'm testing on a 3rd generation iPad. I don't even want to know what the experience is like on a 1st generation iPad.

Free - Download Now

Twitter's mobile team has been hard at work turning the functionality dial to maximum for their latest update, Twitter for iPhone 4.3. You can now enjoy the same expanded tweet's in the iPhone app that you get on the Twitter.com website. Here's what the Twitter bog had to say:

Since we introduced expanded Tweets on twitter.com, we've added several new partners like MLB and C-SPAN to a diverse and growing list of media sources. Starting today, you can also expand Tweets on Twitter for iPhone and Twitter for Android. When you tap a Tweet linking to a Kickstarter project, for example, you can play its video directly from the Tweet details view in your app. You can also read article summaries when you tap Tweets linking to sources like The Atlantic or play videos or view images when you expand Tweets linking to websites like Etsy and Vimeo. This new experience will roll out gradually to web, iPhone and Android users.

You can also set up per-account notifications so you can make sure you never miss a tweet from specific users -- like breaking news, daily deals, or... the boss. There's a variety of other updates in the Twitter 4.3 as well.

Again, the official Twitter client is intended for the new generation of Twitter users who don't have many followers, seldom if ever DM, and follow tons and tons of celebrities. It's not meant for power Twitter users who've been brought up on a steady diet of Twitterrific, Tweetie (the previous Twitter for iPhone), and Tweetbot.

However, the concern lately is that, rather than let those alternative 3rd party clients serve the original base, Twitter might force them out of the game entirely. And that would be tragedy. (See Matthew Panzarino's post on TNW from last weekend on what it's like to be paranoid when they are out to get you.)

For now Twitter for iPhone remains an excellent Twitter app for new users, or for people who want quick access to metrics like who followed, retweeted, and favorited them, and what's trending on the platform in general.

And for them, Twitter 4.3 is a big update.

Free - Download now

If you've got a 4th generation iPod touch with a cracked screen or broken LCD, a DIY repair isn't impossible if you've got a bit of patience and some technical know-how. If getting a replacement from Apple is out of your price range and you'd prefer to just fix it yourself, follow along and we'll show you how.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, neither iMore nor PXLFIX can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

What you need to replace a 4th gen iPod touch digitizer and LCD

PXLFIX recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like eTech Parts. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• 4th generation iPod touch (black or white)
• Replacement digitizer/LCD combo- Link to black part, Link to white part
• Hair dryer or heat gun - Link to part
• Extra strength double-sided replacement adhesive - Link to part - there are several types of adhesive kits you can buy or you can cut your own but we recommend using a pre-cut kit as it will make the process much simpler
• #00 Phillips screwdriver
• Flat metal spatula
• Pry tool or spudger

Power off your iPod touch

Before attempting to open your iPod touch or perform and kind of repair, always power it off first. Just hold down the power button until the Slide to power off message appears on the screen. Slide with your finger and wait for the device to completely power down before continuing.

Areas to look out for when removing the touch screen and LCD assembly

While other devices such as the iPhone and older iPod touches are held together with either screws or clips, the iPod touch and it's larger iPad sibling hold the display in with a strong adhesive. We'll need to soften it by heating it up before we can remove it.

There are a few areas you'll need to be careful of when attempting to pry off the iPod touch front assembly. Notice in the picture below where these areas are and use your pry tool and metal spatula with caution when moving around these areas so you don't tear any cables.

Once you've taken a mental note of the areas above and where they're located under the screen, proceed to the next step.

Remove the broken screen and LCD assembly

1. First, turn your heat gun on the lowest setting possible and heat up the bottom left edges of the iPod. Be careful when lifting it up or handling it as the edges can get quite hot. This works best if you heat and pry small sections at a time so you can hold the other side in your hand.

2. Once you've gotten a section heated, use your metal spatula and/or pry tool in order to slowly work up the LCD and digitizer assembly by gently lifting up between the gasket and screen edge.
3. After you've managed to free a small section, heat up the next section and slowly work your way around until you've broken the adhesive all the way around being extra careful around the areas from the previous section. If the glass spiders or cracks further, that's okay as you'll be replacing the entire front assembly.
4. Once you've gotten a majority of the adhesive separated you'll be able to lift up the entire front assembly. Use your pry tool to remove the LCD cable with one hand. The digitizer cable that connects underneath the logic board you can clip with a pair of scissors as you'll be replacing it.
5. Set the old assembly aside but don't throw it away as you'll need a few parts off of it before reassembly.

Remove the old ashesive and clean off the frame

Before replacing the assembly or disassembling your iPod touch any further, now is a good time to clear out the frame from all the old ashesive and any broken glass pieces that may be stuck on the interior of the frame.

If you don't make sure all dust, debris, and glass is removed before placing in the new screen, it will not fit in correctly and you'll have to go back and re-clean it. In other words, make absolutely sure that you are removing all of the debris and glass before continuing. Feel free to use air duster to blow out any excess debris if needed.

Remove the camera retainer clip

Towards the top of the iPod touch is a retainer clip that holds the rear camera in place. Use your pry tool or metal spatula in order to pop it up and remove it. Set it aside for reassembly.

Remove the copper tape holding the logic board shield down

Underneath the camera retainer clip is a tiny piece of copper tape that's connected to the underside of the logic board shield. Use your metal spatula and your fingers to gently peel the tape back.

Do not completely remove it but just pry the part that is covering the rear facing camera off.

Remove the logic board shield

The logic board shield is also held down with a bit of adhesive that we will have to break but first we need to remove some screws.

1. Remove the screws outlined in the picture below with your #00 Phillips screwdriver making sure to order them in a way that you'll remember when it comes time for reassembly.

2. Use your heat gun to heat up the top and the bottom of the logic board shield. This will make it easier to remove the logic board shield.
3. Start at the bottom by slipping the metal spatula between the shield and speaker assembly. Be careful not to pry the speaker assembly up with the shield as the wires are delicate and can tear easily. Once you have loosened both sides of the bottom of the shield we can move on.

4. Now move your metal spatula to the position indicated in the picture below taking care to slip it between the cable connected on the logic board. While you can pry up on either side, I find it easier to push up gently to break the adhesive in this position as your tool will hold the cable down and prevent it from breaking off the logic board. Prying directly up on either side can cause this to happen so go slowly on this step and position your tool in a way that will not damage the small cable running underneath.

5. Once you've broken the adhesive in the top portion, the shield should lift right off of the logic board. Set it aside for reassembly later.

Pry up the rear facing camera

We don't need to completely remove the rear facing camera but prying it up will allow us to lift up the logic board a bit more and make attaching the digitizer cable a bit easier.

Use your pry tool to gently lift the rear facing camera out of its opening and move on to the next step.

Remove the top 3 screws holding the logic board down

Even though we won't be removing the logic board, we will need to get underneath it in order to attach the digitizer cable for the new digitizer and LCD assembly.

Use your #00 Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw screws labeled below making sure to place them in and order you'll remember for reassembly.

Now that you've removed the 3 screws along the top of the logic board we can continue on to prying up part of the logic board.

Pry up the top of the logic board

You do not want to remove the entire logic board but only pry up the top portion. Be extremely careful with this step as the logic board is fragile and can break easily.

1. Use your pry tool or metal spatula to lift up the portion of the logic board highlighted in the picture below. The logic board is slightly pliable and will bend easily. This is normal. Only pry up enough to edge your finger along it.

2. Now run your finger towards the top of the logic board so the part of the logic board that houses the front facing camera and the digitizer cable can be lifted enough for you to pull out the digitizer cable.

Peel up the copper tape around the digitizer cable

There is a piece of copper tape wrapped around the digitizer cable that you'll need to remove in order to pry off the digitizer cable. Use your pry tool and/or metal spatula to pry up and edge of the tape. Then move along the other side and find the edge of the copper tape and peel it back.

Once you've gotten the tape removed from the front of the cable area, you can move on to removing the cable as the tape will come off with it.

Remove the remaining digitizer cable end and copper tape

While holding the logic board up with one hand, use the pry tool in your other hand to gently push down on the top of the cable until it pops off the bottom of the logic board.

Once the cable has popped off the underside of the logic board you can gently slide it out.

Peel off the copper tape that remains on the old digitizer cable piece. We will place it on the new one in a later step.

Ready the new digitizer and LCD assembly

You will only need to perform this step if the replacement LCD and digitizer assembly you have does not have a Home button and camera shield pre-assembled. If it does not, use this step to transfer the Home button and camera shield to the new assembly.

1. Use your pry tool to gently remove the Home button off the old digitizer. There is a gasket with adhesive that runs around it. Be careful not to tear it.
2. Now flip the new assembly over so you can see the front of it and line up the home button accordingly. Once it is straight, flip the assembly over and make sure you run your fingers around the gasket to secure it to the frame.

3. Now use your pry tool to peel the camera shield off the old assembly.
4. Place the camera shield on the new assembly. You may need to hold it up to the light to make sure you're lining up the sensor hole to the left correctly. Apply more adhesive to the back of the camera shield if you need to.
5. Set the assembly aside and proceed on to the next step.

Attach the digitizer cable on the underside of the logic board

This is the trickiest part of performing a DIY iPod touch screen replacement on newer iPods as the cable has to be fastened on the underside of the logic board. It may take a few tries so be patient and work slowly and you'll get it.

1. Gently pry up the logic board enough to slide the new cable underneath the logic board.
2. While holding up the logic board slightly, use your metal spatula or pry tool to guide the cable in place.

3. Once you feel the cable is lined up properly (it helps to move your eyes to table level so you can see where the cable clips in), push down on the top part of the logic board and push up with your pry tool. If it was lined up correctly you should hear it snap into place.

4. Check the underside to make sure the cable is completely secure.

This step is the hardest part and don't get frustrated if you don't get it on the first try. Just feel around for the connector and gently keep trying to push upwards until the cable snaps into place. Once you've got it, move on to the next step.

Replace the copper tape on the digitizer cable

Slide the copper tape you previously removed off the old digitizer cable underneath the new cable that is now securely in place. Double check to make sure you don't have it upside down. Now secure it around the cable with your fingers.

Push the logic board and rear facing camera back down into place

Once you've got the digitizer cable securely in place you can go ahead and gently push the logic board down and back into place and re-secure the rear facing camera.

Check around the frame to make sure all the screw holes are lined up correctly. It also doesn't hurt to push down on top of the digitizer cable firmly to make sure it's snapped completely into place.

Replace the 3 screws at the top of the logic board

Replace the 3 screws you removed earlier that run along the top of the logic board.

Replace the logic board shield

Once you've gotten the top 3 screws in place you can replace the logic board shield as well. Lay it into place and screw it back down with the 8 screws you removed previously. Once you've gotten it screwed back into place you can go ahead and push back down the copper tab at the top right as well.

Replace the camera retainer clip

Put the camera retainer clip back into place over the copper tape you just pushed back down and snap it into place.

Test the digitizer

Now is a good time to test the digitizer before applying any adhesive. Simply snap down the LCD cable on the top of the logic board that runs off the new assembly and then gently folder over the assembly.

Now hit the power button to make sure it powers up. Once the slide to unlock screen comes up, slide your finger and make sure the touch screen is responsive.

Once you've finished testing it just turn the iPod back off by holding down the power button and sliding to power off again. Flip the assembly back over and use your pry tool to remove the LCD cable.

If the touch screen is not responsive, remove the 3 screws at the top of the logic board again and make sure the cable underneath the logic board is completely secure.

If the LCD does not come on and you know the cable is secure, you may have a faulty assembly. Disconnect it and request a replacement one from who you ordered it from.

Line the frame of your iPod with new adhesive

Before placing adhesive onto the assembly double check to make sure you have removed any leftover adhesive from before and that there is no glass or debris left in the frame.

If you have purchased a pre-cut adhesive kit, position the adhesive onto the assembly taking care to not get adheasive on the digitizer or LCD cables.

If you're cutting your own adhesive just make sure that you completely line the frame and have removed all the old adhesive. Use the picture below as a guide for where to place adhesive.

Attached the LCD cable and fold over the digitizer cable

1. If there is a protective backing on the back of your new LCD assembly go ahead and remove it now.

2. Re-attach the LCD cable taking care to not get the cables stuck on the assembly frame.

3. Once the LCD cable is securely in place, make sure that the digitizer cable is folded over. It should crease 3 times. Most assemblies will already be crimped for you. Just make sure that it folds into place neatly and that it doesn't stick out above the frame.
4. Gently flip over the screen and starting at the top gently push the assembly up and into place. The camera shield should lock into place at the top of the assembly to make it flush.
5. Push down gently around the edges of the iPod touch to secure the adhesive.

Heat the adhesive to secure it

It's always a good idea to run a heat gun over the iPod touch one last time and push down the edges to make sure they are secure. I typically heat it up and hold down each edge for 30 seconds and repeat until all four edges and the top and the bottom have been held in for 30 seconds each. This will ensure a tight bond with the adhesive and prevent light leak or the frame coming up over time.

And... done!

Now that you've got your new digitizer and LCD assembly in place you can power up your iPod touch and enjoy it again. Then, give yourself a pat on the back for completing a ninja level DIY repair.

Want to know how to perform another type of iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch repair or modification? Send me suggestions to ally.kazmucha@imore.com.

To ask us questions or to inquire about mail-in repairs through PXLFIX, please follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or e-mail us directly! Of course, you can like us and follow us just because you think we're cool too!

Additional Resources:

• How to replace a cracked screen on a Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4
• How to replace a cracked screen on a AT&T/GSM iPhone 4
• Even more DIY iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch repairs

Microsoft's bombastic CEO, Steve Ballmer, has "thrown down the gauntlet" at Apple, and while acknowledging they'd ceded innovation in the past, they'd not be doing that again. According to comments provided to CRN following Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, Ballmer said:

But we are not going to let any piece of this [go uncontested to Apple]. Not the consumer cloud. Not hardware software innovation. We are not leaving any of that to Apple by itself. Not going to happen. Not on our watch.

While Steve Ballmer has been successful in maintaining Microsoft's Office and Windows profits (Vista hiccups not withstanding), and managing, if expensively, to get into gaming with Xbox, Ballmer's attempts to be keep Microsoft relevant in the white-hot internet and mobile markets have been disappointing to say the least.

Now with Nokia as their primary handset partner, and Windows Phone 8 ready to hit the market, and with Microsoft making their own Surface hardware to try to compete with Apple's iPad, clearly a new strategy is in place.

And for Ballmer, at least, it's vital that it works. Having former CEO Bill Gates remain as Chairman of the Board has probably insulated Ballmer from much of the pushback on his internet and mobile strategies to date, but even that can't last forever. Apple has a new CEO with Tim Cook. RIM has a new CEO with Thorsten Heis. Google has a new CEO with Larry Page.

Palm didn't survive their transformation. RIM's is by no means certain. Microsoft has several viable businesses and billions and billions in revenue to keep financing their failures, but they're a public company and their shareholders might not be happy with their firehose staying on full forever.

Ballmer can be as bombastic as he likes in interviews, but if he doesn't start nailing internet and mobile, Apple space or no Apple space, billions in the bank or no billions in the bank, Microsoft might be next in line for a management shake up.

Source: CRN via @Lessien

For today only, the iMore iPhone Accessory Store has the Case-Mate Phantom Case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on sale for only $29.95! That's a whopping 40% off! Get yours before they're gone!

Express your toughest style with the Phantom iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 case. The Phantom case sports a sleek design fit for any lifestyle. The two-piece iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 case impresses with its clean, aesthetic lines and fresh, on-trend colors for good looks and convenient function.

A snap-on frame supports the front and sides of the iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4, protecting the screen while the case lays facedown. The multi-layer outer piece is constructed from the revolutionary DuoFlex and PolyCore materials. The DuoFlex soft finish creates a natural cushion and an easy-to-hold grip, while also covering each of the iPhone 4S, AT&T iPhone 4, or Verizon iPhone 4 ports. The solid PolyCore material covers the interior for snug, hard shell protection.

Features:

• Two-piece, tough iPhone case
• Formed from DuoFlex and PolyCore materials
• Form fit feature covers back and corners
• Access to all ports and functions

Shop Case-Mate Phantom Case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 now!

Popular online storage and sync platform Dropbox, which powers tons of iPhone and iPad apps, has just announced new plans with new pricing, basically giving most paid users twice what they had before. Here's what the Dropbox blog had to say:

Today we're happy to announce that our upgrades are getting a huge upgrade! Dropbox Pro now comes in flavors of 100 and 200 GB, but at the price of the original 50 and 100 GB plans. For those of you who need even more space, a brand new 500 GB plan is also joining the posse! If you're already a Dropbox Pro subscriber, just take a seat and enjoy the fireworks — your Dropbox will supersize itself automatically tonight.

So be sure to check back with Dropbox this evening to see all the new pricing go live. I've paid for Dropbox for years. Most of my OS X Home directory lives in Dropbox. If I ever need to reinstall a machine, or I get a new machine, the first thing I do is install Dropbox and a short time later, everything is just there. It's literally the lynchpin of what lets me leave my desktop and go to my laptop and keep working as though I hadn't changed machines.

Dropbox is also what I use on my iPhone and iPad to keep files handy and share them on the go, and to have a pseudo file system available since Apple doesn't provide one in iOS.

I'm a huge iCloud user as well, but I use Dropbox for very different things.

If you're using Dropbox too, let me know how, and what you're planning to do with all that extra space?

Source: Dropbox

Complete guide to Siri controls for playing songs, artists, albums, genres, and enjoying your music

Siri can help you access your music more easily than ever. With Siri you can play tracks, albums, and entires genres without ever having to open your Music app. If you're in the car, Siri also makes for a safe way to keep your tunes going while keeping your hands on the wheel.

Follow through and we'll show you how.

• How to play a specific song with Siri
• How play a specific artist or album with Siri
• How to play a specific playlist with Siri
• How to play a specific genre with Siri
• How to shuffle music with Siri
• How to pause, play, and skip tracks with Siri

How to play a specific song with Siri

1. Press and hold down the Home button to activate Siri.

2. Tell Siri to play a specific song title. For example: "Play Pumped up Kicks"

3. Wait for Siri to start playing the song.

If you don't specify an artist and there is more than one song with the same title, Siri will ask you which one you meant.

How play a specific artist or album with Siri

1. Press and hold down the Home button to activate Siri

2. Tell Siri to play the specific artist or album you want. For example, "Play music by Foster the People" or "Play the album Nothing but the Beat by David Guetta."

3. Wait for Siri to start to playing the album or selected artist.

How to play a specific genre with Siri

1. Press and hold down the Home button to activate Siri.

2. Tell Siri to play the specific genre of music you want to listen to. For example. "Play some dance music".
3. Wait for Siri to start playing the genre you selected.

How to play a specific playlist with Siri

1. Press and hold down the Home button to activate Siri.

2. Tell Siri the name of the playlist you want to play. For example, "Play my Road Trip playlist".

3. Wait for Siri to start playing your playlist.

How to shuffle music with Siri

1. Press and hold down the Home button to activate Siri.

2. Tell Siri what you want to play -- a playlist, album, or music by a certain artist -- and tell it that you want to shuffle. For example: Play music by Foster the People on shuffle.

3. If you're already playing a certain genre, album, or artist you can just tell Siri you want to shuffle by saying: "Shuffle".

How to pause, play, stop, and skip tracks with Siri

1. Press and hold down the Home button to activate Siri.

2. If you've got music already playing you can control the current track's playback by telling Siri what you want to do. For example: "Pause music" or "skip track".

3. If you've stopped your music and would like to continue were you last left off you can tell Siri:"Resume playing."

How to get more help with Siri

If you still need help with setting up or using Siri with your iPhone music, or any other Siri feature, head on over to our Siri Forum and ask away!

• How to set up, configure, secure, and start using Siri
• How to call, message, and email your contacts using Siri
• How to set alarms and timers using Siri
• How to set reminders and update task and to-do lists using Siri
• How to find places and businesses on the map, and get directions using Siri
• How to create, view, update, and cancel calendar events using Siri

Apple announced today that the new iPad will launch in China this month -- more precisely on Friday, July 20, 2012. While manufactured in China, it's taken Apple four months longer to get their third generation tablet into the Chinese market.

Apple products are popular enough the gray market trade quickly fills any gaps in Apple's release or distribution schedule. Despite the hurdles, China remains one of Apple's largest, and still fastest growing markets. Increasingly, Apple is recording substantial portions of their revenue beyond U.S. borders.

Full press release below.

New iPad Arrives in China on Friday, July 20

CUPERTINO, California―July 10, 2012―Apple® today announced the new iPad®, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, will arrive in China on Friday, July 20. The new iPad features a stunning new Retina™ display, Apple's new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5 megapixel iSight® camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. The new iPad still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life* while remaining amazingly thin and light.

The new iPad Wi-Fi models will be available in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model and $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. In China the new iPad will be available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), select Apple Authorized Resellers and by reservation from Apple retail stores. Reservation requests will be accepted daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 19 for pick up the following day. Additionally, iPad 2 is available at a more affordable price starting at just $399 (US).

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

The question sounds ludicrous, right? But iMore member motoleo posted on the iPhone Forums that he'd pay as much as $2000 for the next iPhone.

Apple should go up on the price of the next iPhone. Now that the iPhone 4S has saturated and can be found in places like Cricket and other low end carriers.

He continued:

Naturally. When iPhone 4S went to Cricket, everyone was appalled. And I immediately thought it was a ploy. The company, Apple, "Handing it down" to the cheaper carriers, as an act of 'final hurrah', showing that this generation of iPhone is complete and ready to be used by younger and cheaper.

The iPhone 5 will not be on Cricket. Look at the Macbooks. It's indistinguishable. You can simply change out one piece to upgrade and yet the price is higher. This is what Apple does. Uniformity. Brand recognition. It works. But now, Apple has been all about 'disconnecting from the past.'

People will pay more for an iPhone.

It's currently the hottest thread on our iPhone Forums, prompting many of the replies you probably think it' prompting. Member JustMe'd got in early with:

Just because iPhones are sold at Walmart, Target, Cricket & other "low end" carriers, as you put it, why would Apple want to raise the price and risk losing customers to Android and Windows Mobile? It amazes me how some people are afraid of the term "low end / low budget" and Apple cashes in on that fear, too. For example, with the exception of storage space, there is absolutely no difference between the iPhone 4S 16, 32 & 64 GB models and yet, there are people out there who will go out of their way to not get the 16 Gig model simply because it is touted as the base / budget model. Having said that, is it your belief that the iPhone has been rendered cheap because it is now sold by "low end" carriers?

The original iPhone was ludicrously expensive -- $499 at 4GB and $599 for 8GB on a 2-year contract. That compares to $199 for an iPhone 4S today, and $99 and $0 for an iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS respectively. Where the very first iPhone owners paid exorbitantly just to be one of the few with an iPhone, now pretty much anyone who wants one can have one, and it remains one of, if not the single most popular line of phones in the world.

This isn't the first time the iPhone-as-status-symbol debate has reared its head either. When the iPhone 3GS came out, and looked the same as the iPhone 3G, there were those upset that people wouldn't be able to tell at a glance they had the new iPhone.

The same thing happened when the iPhone 4S came out looking like the iPhone 4. Certain users were upset that they couldn't easily show off that they had the latest, greatest device.

Apple is clearly aiming for the mainstream market, not the high end. They're using carrier subsidies to provide a premium product to a huge customer base. Apple as a brand is still highly valued, but Apple is making sure it's also highly accessible.

There is a $2000+ Porsche designed BlackBerry P'9981 on the market, after all, and some people are buying that.

Luxury brands aren't anything new. Cars, fashion, watches, and more all have their luxury players. Should Apple introduce a more exclusive iPhone? An iPhone Pro to go along with their MacBook Pro and Mac Pro branding? Or is bringing exclusivity to everyone the whole point of Apple's brand and the iPhone?

Weigh in on our iPhone Forum thread now!

The Next Issue has finally arrived on the iPad, and is set to offer a subscription service that could transform the way you access glossy magazines on iOS. In their press release, Morgan Guenther, CEO of Next Issue Media said:

"With the unlimited plans offering access to our entire catalog from a single intuitive App and personal library, we're delivering magazines the way consumers want to read them. It's like having an entire magazine rack stocked with only the very best titles, but you can browse or read any issue, any time, on your iPad."

Free - Download Now

Right now Apple's method of offering magazine content is through special App Store apps that live in Newsstand and need to be downloaded and subscribed to or purchased on an individual, magazine-by-magazine basis. Zinio has provided a similar single point of discovery, purchase, and reading for a long time now as well. Next Issue, however, is focusing very much on a Netflix-style model, with subscription plans that cover multiple magazines a month.

The Next Issue for iPad provides access to up to 39 titles including Bon Appetit, Brides, Golf Digest, GQ, Self, Vogue and Wired, with more promised to come in the future.

There are two subscription models available. The first comes in at $9.99 a month; this gives you access to monthly and bi-monthly magazines and back issues. The more expensive $14.99 a month subscription includes weekly magazine titles such as Entertainment Weekly, The New Yorker, and a few others. If you are still on the fence, you can sign up for a free 30 day trial.

Unfortunately, it's currently only available in the Unite States.

The question is, would you be willing to pay a monthly subscription to gain access to regular magazine publications? I would say that if the content available suits your reading habits then it is an excellent proposition. The cost of a printed magazine is nearly the cost of a month's subscription so it does make good economic sense. What do you think?

Following the release of the OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Gold Master (GM) earlier today, Apple has opened up the Mac App Store to apps and games built using the Mountain Lion APIs. Of particular interest to iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad owners -- Mac games that support iOS and OS X cross-platform gaming can now be submitted.

Make sure your apps take advantage of the great new features in OS X Mountain Lion when the world's most advanced operating system ships to millions of customers worldwide. Download OS X Mountain Lion GM seed and Xcode 4.4 GM seed, now available on the Mac Dev Center. Build your apps with these latest seeds, then test and submit for review.

You can also submit iOS apps that take advantage of the new cross-platform Game Center Groups, so they'll be available when OS X Mountain Lion ships.

Apple showed off iOS to OS X gaming at WWDC 2012, using a Stig look-alike in a Game Center, AirPlay extravaganza. It looked flawless, and if it performs in real life the way it did on the WWDC, gaming on three screens is about to get a huge boost.

If you're a developer with a Mac Game Center game in the works, make sure you email us at iosapps@imore.com and let us know.

If you're the proud owner of an [LTE iPad](http://www.imore.com/ipad) then you likely follow the news of LTE rollouts as they happen. More markets mean more chances you'll be covered, after all. Verizon is constantly updating their LTE coverage areas and today have announced a bunch of new LTE markets around Georgia and New York. AT&T is still playing catchup in Florida, Texas, and New York. Rogers, meanwhile, is pledging 28 new markets in Canada by 2013. Overall, the expansion of LTE across carrier networks can be looked at in a number of ways. If you live in rural areas, you're probably not getting much love, but if you live within a large city, you're more likely to attach yourself to an LTE tower and enjoy it for all it is worth. Only the iPad is available right now with LTE so iPhone owners won't be making use of LTE until October and the [iPhone 5](http://www.imore.com/iphone-5) at the earliest. That said though, it could be a blessing in disguise because, by the time an LTE equipped iPhone is unveiled, LTE will be available in even more areas then ever before. Kind of makes you wonder if that's exactly how Apple planned it. Looking for the full list of new coverage areas from Verizon and Rogers? You'll find them below. Source: Verizon, AT&T, Rogers

New LTE markets for Verizon

• Syracuse, NY
• Cicero, NY
• Clay, NY
• Cortland, NY 
• Sullivan, NY
• Rome, GA
• Columbus, GA
• Armuchee, GA
• Cave Springs, GA
• Cedartown, GA
• Rockmart, GA

New LTE markets for AT&T

• Wichita, Kan.
• Gainesville, Fla.
• Greensboro, N.C.
• Winston-Salem, N.C.
• Corpus Christi, Texas
• Burlington, N.C.
• Buffalo, N.Y.

New LTE markets for Rogers (by 2013)

• Abbotsford
• Ajax
• Barrie
• Burlington
• Cambridge
• Edmonton
• Guelph
• Hamilton
• Kelowna
• Kingston
• Kitchener
• London
• Moncton
• Niagara
• Oakville
• Oshawa
• Pickering
• Regina
• Saskatoon
• Sherbrooke
• St. Catherines
• Sudbury
• Waterloo
• Windsor
• Winnipeg
• Trois-Rivières
• Quebec City
• Victoria

The Vaja premium leather cases, including the Agenda for iPad, and the LP and Lèger cases for iPhone. The look is gorgeous, the feel is incredible, and the manufacturing quality is more than impressive. But do they work as good as they look and feel?

For the most part, yes. Let's be clear -- The Vaja Agenda, LP, and Lèger cases are absolutely sumptuous and decadent and are meant to be shown off as much as used, like an amazing designer purse or shows.

From texture to stitch, the hand craftsmanship is amazing

The fit and finish as well, down to the Vaja clasp.

They're also really protective, and though you might cringe at damaging such pretty leather, the Agenda, LP, and Lèger cases will keep your iPad and iPhone safe from bumps and scrapes. The protection comes at the price of some added bulk, but nothing beyond what any quality leather product such as wallet or even sunglass case would provide.

You do have to pretty much remove your iPhone from the Lèger case in order to use it. That's the price of a pouch, after all. And the cover on the LP doesn't really do anything useful, like transform into a stand, when you flip it back. It kind of just stays there, flipped and nothing more. Conversely, the Agenda's cover does convert into a stand, though landscape only.

The good

• Stunning design
• Premium materials
• Fantastic, hand-crafted quality
• Wide selection of colors

The bad

• Access can be more unwieldy or difficult than less designed cases.

The conclusion

If you're the type of person who likes to accessories everything to nth degree, Vaja has a luxury case for you. Their choice of color is incredible, their designs are sublime, and their product just scream premium. They may not be the most functional accessories or the most practical, but they're not meant to be. They're meant to be just a little decadent.

The only real drawback here is the price. This much luxury has to have a price tag to match, after all. If you all you want is some protection, look elsewhere. Vaja is as much about making a statement.

$220 - Agenda for iPad - Buy now

$115 - LP for iPhone - Buy now

$85 - Lèger for iPhone - Buy now

Found an interesting article you want to share with iMore? Have a burning question about that feature you just can't figure out? There is ALWAYS more happening just a click away in the forums. You can always head over and join in the conversation, search for answers, or lend your expertise to other members of our community. You check out some of the threads below:

- iMessage is a pain!!
- What is the best 3rd Party Music App for New iPad?
- Fonts for IOS 5 (Jailbroken)
- Beta 3 waiting room
- Only Need One Calendar
- iPad must-know tips and tricks, add yours!

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