If you go to check your email in the iPhone’s Mail app only to see a blank — either literally a blank space between messages or a place-holder that says (No Sender) (No Subject) — you may have this bug. If you do we’ll tell you how to work around it, after the break.

I experienced the blank email issue frequently under iOS 4.1, as does Andrew, but I haven’t seen it (yet) under iOS 4.2. Ally has seen it over multiple iOS versions. (Ironically Ally captured this screenshot when she got a blank during an email exchange about blanks!) Whenever or wherever you have this problem, the only solution we’ve found so far is to restart the Mail app:

• Click the Home Button to exit Mail
• Double click the Home Button to open the Fast App Switcher
• Hold your finger down on Mail to put it into jiggly mode
• Tap the X at the top right of Mail to kill the app

Mail will auto-restart so you won’t miss any messages, but when you go back in your blank(s) should be gone.

Let us know if you’re experiencing this bug and, if so, whether or not this workaround works for you!

iPhone bugs: Blank messages in Mail is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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TiPb checks out the best, most must-have reader apps to load up on your iPad

Have an iPad and curious which are the best, most must-have reading apps you need to check out? Want to really get the most out of that big 9.7-inch screen? Well read on for TiPb’s top 10 most recommended, most must-have readings apps for your iPad.

Note: Many of the reader apps are free but individual books, issues, etc. are available via in-app purchase. Those prices vary.

eBook readers: Kindle for iPad

Amazon’s Kindle eBook reader for iPad isn’t as good looking as Apple’s iBooks but simply has the largest library of titles and the most cross-platform support on the market. If you’re looking for a book chances are you’ll find it for the Kindle app, and if you buy it you’ll be able to read it on iPhone, iPad, Kindle devices, and other smartphones. Better still, if you stop reading it on one device, thanks to WhisperSync you can pick up right where you left off on another device. Universal app – download once, use on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. [Free - iTunes link]

Also check out:

• iBooks from Apple which supports PDF, bookmarking, highlighting, and picture books. [Free - iTunes link]
• Stanza, purchased by Amazon is a favorite of those who like open, free eBooks and like to roll their own as well [Free - iTunes link]

Magazine readers: Zinio

Since neither Apple nor anyone else has been able to provide a real, multi-publisher iTunes-like experience for magazines, it’s hard to pick one app as the best. Zinio at least comes close, with support for a wide variety of magazines across a wide array of devices. We’re still waiting for our next-generation iMags but this will hold traditionalists over until we get there. Universal app – download once, use on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. [Free - iTunes link]

Also check out:

• Unfortunately, as mentioned, the iPad magazine market is a mess, with tons of apps from tons of publishers, mostly just selling repackaged InDesign exports. If there’s a magazine you love, search the App Store for it and there’s a good chance you’ll find an app for it, including everything from New Yorker to Popular Science to People.

Newspaper readers: Press Reader

Press Reader is much like Zinio, an attempt to provide a one-stop shop, in this case for newspapers. It boasts 1700 international papers in its library. Again, we’re still waiting for Apple to pick up the subscription ball with an iNews-type solution, but in the meantime Press Reader gets the job done. Universal app – download once, use on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. [Free - iTunes link]

Also check out:

• The good news is, there are a lot of individual iPad newspaper apps. The bad news is there’s a lot of individual iPad newspaper apps. Inarguably most of the big names are there — Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today — but just not in any organized manner. So, once again, you’re left to search the App Store for your favorites.

Comic book readers: Comics

Comics by comixology is the closest thing to a unified comic books store on iOS. It helps that they also make the Marvel, DC, and Image apps using the same engine, but their own Comics apps is the only place to get stuff from all those publishers all in one place. The experience is the same across comics, Marvel, DC, and Image — browse or search for books, download free samples, buy issues. You create an account, so you can access your library from other devices, like iPhone as well. Unfortunately some storylines don’t have all issues available, and there are no bundled “trade paperback” style purchases… yet. Universal app – download once, use on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. [Free - iTunes link]

Also check out:

• Comic Viewer is for those who prefer to move their own CBZ and CBR files over to iPad. [$4.99 - iTunes link]
• Stanza for iPad also works with comic book files-ish. The dedicated readers are better but if you’re into multitaskers and are already using Stanza for eBooks, no you’re good to go [Free - iTunes link]

Web readers: Flipboard

Flipboard takes all the stuff you care about — articles and pictures shared by your Facebook and Twitter friends along with the latest relevant headlines and presents them, with content and social comments, in a gorgeous, tactile iPad interface. A recent update has even added Google Reader support for RSS. You can customize it to your hearts content and share your own comments back. It’s the closest we’ve come yet to a communal magazine. [Free - iTunes link]

• Reeder for iPad is a great way to keep up with your RSS news feeds. [$4.99 - iTunes link]
• Instapaper lets you save web articles to read later in a cleaner format. [$4.99 - iTunes link]

Your top apps?

So there you have them, our top 5 best iPad reader apps to get you going. Be sure to check out our Picks of the Week and iPad App and Games Forum for more recommendations, and if we missed any of your favorites leave them in the comments below!

Top 5 reading apps for iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

According to unnamed sources in Taiwan there will be 3 different versions of the iPad 2 from Apple when it gets released in 2011, including the current Wi-Fi and UMTS 3G models, as well as a CDMA model for use with carriers like Verizon. From DigiTimes:

Apple is expected to release three versions of iPad 2, supporting either or a combination of Wi-Fi, UMTS and CDMA, for 2011 with mass production to start as early as the later half of January.

According to the rumor, Apple will begin production of 500,000 to 530,000 units during the 2nd half of January, and is expected to produce a ratio of 3:4:3 (Wi-Fi, UMTS, CDMA respectively) as it appears that 60-65% of current iPad shipments have been 3G models.

In addition to added wireless functionality, it looks like the iPad 2 might get a few other minor upgrades including better smudge-resistant screens with an anti-reflective treatment. This should help the iPad 2 better compete with eBook readers like the Amazon Kindle.

Although these are just rumors for now, it would be pretty great to see a Verizon iPad 2 released in 2011 next to a Verizon iPhone, don’t you think? Sound off in the comments below!

[DigiTimes]

Apple to ship three models of iPad 2 including CDMA support, anti-reflective screen? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Just get a new iPhone or iPad? Now you need to personalize or protect it with an amazing case, keep it charged, or just keep talking and rocking with Bluetooth! What are you waiting for? Hit up the massive TiPb Store New Year Sale and save up to 70% off iPhone and iPad accessories!

Save up to 70% on iPhone and iPad accessories! TiPb Store New Year Sale! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Everyone has been eagerly awaiting Infinity Blade’s introduction to the App Store, and with it, a promised new era of iOS gaming. Listening to the hype around this game, one would think you would stop playing other games altogether. Does Infinity Blade live up to the hype? Let’s take a look at this game a little more in-depth to find out.

Infinity Blade is the first game for iOS that used the Unreal Engine 3 to bring to life the story of a lonesome hero bent on destroying the God King (for reason’s unknown other than, presumably, the God King is a bad dude); alas, your story begins.

You start off the game as our hero and his approach to the castle where the God King resides. To reach the God King, you will need to destroy many of his minions. They range in shape and size. After you defeat several minions, you reach the God King. If you defeat him, you have won. If you fail, you die and the journey or “bloodline” begins again with your son, avenging your death.

The time of this game is set in a castle with magic and knight folklore which will appeal to many people. The story for this game is not very deep, but with this game it is all about the gameplay and overall mechanics that make the title shine. Before you enter a battle you have an opportunity to scope the environment. This is a good thing as often you will find health, chests (they may contain an item) and bags of money. You can also see the properties of an enemy before you face them. This is useful because some enemies, especially once you get further in the game, are immune to certain attacks. So, prior to battle you can adjust your armor and weapons to the maximum benefit.

Once the battle begins, you have essentially three things you can do: block an attack, dodge an enemy attack by tapping the left or right corners of the screen or you can parry an attack by swiping in the same direction on screen as an incoming attack with your preferred weapon (sword, mace, axe, etc.) You can also use a special skill such as magic to perform a special attack. That’s it folks (well, occasionally you get an opening where you can stab your enemy).

So, though this may not seem incredibly deep on the surface, the controls are very satisfying; it is not simple to just arbitrarily parry and block, there is some skill and technique involved. If you block attacks, your shield becomes weaker and will eventually break, adding even more challenge since you can’t just block every incoming attack. There is a fair amount of variety in enemies too. They attack from different angles and are not standardized. Using magic strategically helps as well (heal your self, add additional hits to your shield, use an elemental attack against a weaker enemy) adding even more depth to the game. Some items even have magical endowments, a fire branded sword or a shield immune to ice attacks.

Overall, I enjoyed this game. Is it the most amazing game ever? Of course not, but it does offer a fun diversion and foretells the possibilities of gaming on iOS. There is currently enough content to keep you coming back for more. Dozens of weapons, helmets, shields, armor,etc. all have different attributes and is worth your time to master them. The most recent update added a max level for the player, a new enemy and additional items to buy and collect. Future updates will unlock even more of the castle, new monsters, multiplayer and more. If you have not downloaded this game yet, go do it now.

[$5.99- iTunes Link]

Pros

• Beautiful graphics
• Challenging gameplay with each new bloodline
• Game Center support
• Plenty of planned updates for the future (including Multiplayer)
• Universal App

Cons

• Framerate can be a little jerky- even on iPhone 4 and iPad
• Battles can get repetitive after a while (parry, parry, block, dodge, repeat)

Infinity Blade for iOS- app review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Over the weekend a former RIM employee stated that when Apple unveiled the first iphone at Macworld 2007, RIM had several emergency meetings which culminated with the BlackBerry maker deciding Apple was lying — the iPhone wasn’t possible. In RIM’s opinion a phone with all of the 2007 iPhone’s functionality and large touchscreen could not be used without being near a power supply at all times. Shacknews poster, Kentor, heard from his former colleagues:

The iPhone couldn’t do what [Apple was] demonstrating without an insanely power hungry processor, it must have terrible battery life. Imagine their surprise [at RIM] when they disassembled an iPhone for the first time and found that the phone was battery with a tiny logic board strapped to it.

RIM’s “Apple Killer”, released as the BlackBerry Storm in 2008, was their response, but it wasn’t until 2010’s Torch that they began to close the multitouch and web browser gap. 2011 will see the introduction of their next generation platform, the QNX-powered BlackBerry Playbook, though in tablet form, not smartphone.

Could RIM, Microsoft, and Palm really have been in denial about the iPhone in 2007? Could Apple be in denial about any competitors today?

[ Electronista ]

BlackBerry maker RIM thought Apple was lying about iPhone in 2007? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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If you have $600,000 to spare, how about booking a week on this luxury yacht… controlled by iPads. The yacht, named Solemates, allows guests to control various functions while onboard via their iPads. This includes the cabin climate control system, various audio and visual entertainment options as well as lighting and blinds within the cabin.

If you wear yourself out messing around with all these control options on your iPad, you can order a crew member to drop in a refreshing cocktail to pep you up again. Don't worry if you don't have an iPad; or left your own at home, the Captain issues them to boarding guests.

This beautiful yacht was launched in Monaco earlier this year and can hit a top speed of 15.5 knots with a range of 7,000 nautical miles. The yacht can carry 12 guests at a time in its spacious cabins.

Now who has $600,000? I am booking the first week of January, who else is coming?

[James Spotting]

Luxury yacht uses iPad as onboard concierge is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Developer and hacker, James Whelton has managed to “Jailbreak” the iPod nano, getting past its cache comparison and installing a rather simple tweak that can remove default apps and replace them with ‘blank spaces’ on the nano’s springboard. This can open up the iPod Nano to more hacks and mods from other hackers, including the ability to potentially view Movies or TV Shows, set Calendar Events and set a passcode lock.

Whelton pointed out some hidden strings that he discovered in the iPod nano OS as well.

Next is the discovery in some of the device's plists of reference to support of Movies, TV Shows, Apps, Games, vCards, Calender events and so on, with a few other cool things like a passcode lock. With the bypass I figured out, I hope to enable these pretty soon. It seems like the OS is a rehashed version of the previous nano's OS.

Details on how to jailbreak the iPod nano are said to be released in a few days. It’ll be interesting to see what Team Jailbreak will do with the newly hacked Nano. Would you want Movies and TV Shows on such a small screen? Are there any particular mods you would like on the sixth-gen nano?

Check below for a video of the hack in action.

[MacStories] [Nanohack.me]

iPod nano Jailbreak: Movies, Calendar Events, and Passcode Lock coming soon? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Jailbreak developer Ryan Petrich has released a great new extension, named Icon Renamer, for changing the names of 3rd party apps on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. It has similar functionality to jailbreak tweaks like Rename but executes in a much more efficient and straight-forward way.

All you need to do after installing the extension is tap and hold any app icon until you get into wiggle-mode, then tap the icon again to rename the app. There’s no need to reboot or respring your device in order to see the changes — they are instantaneous.

This extension is very useful if you have apps with longer names, have an app named as an acronym that you want to change or if you just want to rename an app to your liking. A perfect example is if you use Five-Column Springboard and have a lot of apps with longer names that are situated near each other. With Icon Renamer you can edit apps with longer names so they don’t overlap.

Icon Renamer is a free jailbreak extension and is available in Cydia now. Let us know what you think of this tweak in the comments below!

Change iPhone, iPad app names with Icon Renamer [Jailbreak] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

While most have assumed the iPhone 5 will include NFC technology for turning your iPhone into an eWallet, Japanese carrier Softbank has announced they’ll be releasing their own NFC payment system for the iPhone 4 ahead of Apple in the form of a sticker you can apply to Apple’s flagship smartphone. From Engadget:

Softbank has responded to complaints about the iPhone 4’s NFC deficit by introducing a new “seal” for the back of Apple’s latest and greatest.

The seal is applied to the back of the iPhone 4 covering all but the camera and will be able to communicate with the FeliCa payment system used in Japan. Apparently the sticker won’t interfere with cases like Apple’s own Bumper case, but based on the picture above I really can’t see this system working with every case out there.

Also noted by Engadget is that the sticker doesn’t actually communicate with the iPhone 4 itself, but acts as a separate system that simply attaches itself to the device. So until Apple decides to integrate this directly it doesn’t look like true NFC has hit the iPhone (yet). Softbank’s NFC seal will be going for ¥2,980 ($36) in February.

This got me wondering — if this “sticker” implementation of NFC were released anywhere else, would iPhone users actually use it or would you prefer waiting until Apple officially rolls NFC into the next iPhone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

[Softbank via Engadget]

Softbank brings NFC payment technology to iPhone 4 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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