Apple’s iPhone leads the pack in what one industry watcher views as an increasing use of mobile applications. Little wonder. The iPhone (and other iOS-based devices) along with Google’s Android are part of the reason why smartphones now comprise 20 percent of the overall mobile phone market.

According to Nielsen, the number of mobile apps found on smartphones is increasing. On average, a smartphone had 27 apps in August, up from 22 last December. The iPhone is way ahead of competitors, sporting 40 apps versus 25 for Android smartphones and 14 for the Blackberry.

iPods are great nifty little devices that allow you to take music off of your computer and carry  it around town with you inside a magical Apple electronic device. But what happens when you want to transfer the music that’s on your iPod and put it back on your Mac? Despite all of its friendliness, iTunes is unwilling to pry the music of your iPod or iPhone. In this walk-through we’ll show you how to reclaim your music from your iPod and get it back on your Mac.

There is a persistent — and perhaps understandable — fear on the part of some Canadians that viral American culture is overwhelming Canada’s own cultural heritage, but a recent decision by Canada’s Privacy Council Office to probe Apple’s iBookstore seems like it borders on paranoia.

The order, first issued on August 20th, puts Apple and iBooks under scrutiny to make sure that the large e-bookstore “aids Canadian culture,” a vague responsibility to be sure. The authority comes from section 15 of the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to review any investment that “is related to Canada’s cultural heritage or national identity.”

A probe is just a probe, and it seems, for right now, like Canada wants to make sure of Apple’s plans before they allow the full launch of the iBookstore to go through. It seems strange, however, that Apple would be put up the standard of being “of direct cultural benefit to Canada.” How can the widespread proliferation of millions of books be suspected of being a detriment to culture? At least twenty or thirty of those books have to be written by Canadians, right?

AT&T’s beleaguered and spotty 3G network has been the butt of both joke and collective outrage since the iPhone 3G, but Ma Bell is now promising customers that they’re serious about improving things, having dedicated a minimum of $18 billion to improve both wireless and landline network capacity across the country next year.

Not only will this entail infrastructure support, but according to AT&T, they will also install thousands of new cell sites which will expand mobile broadband coverage to millions of customers whose iPhones might currently cling tenuously to the bottom bar of reception. Additionally, AT&T is making noises that they will be increasing the capacity of their data network, hopefully leading to better download speeds at all… or at least not letting them degrade any further.

The money’s also earmarked for moving AT&T along to the next generation of mobile broadband: the blistering LTE 4G standard. AT&T is promising these network enhancements will allow seamless migration to next-gen LTE… good news indeed, if you are just counting down the days to an iPhone LTE announcement.

Apple’s unibody aluminum carving process… applied to dead tree flesh. For the true Apple fan, this $55 MacBook cutting board is a perfect addition to any kitchen, with a wonderful attention to detail: from the choice of material (an appropriate applewood) to the halved Apple logo on the cutting surface.

My only issue is it’s simply too gorgeous to cut anything on: $55 is just too much to spend on an item that is going to be hacked, slashed and stained with grease and tomato juice within a few days. This $40 iPad cutting board may be a better and more frugal fit for the culinary gore show of the Brownlee/Morford kitchen.

iOS 4.1 is now live, and along with the much anticipated software update comes Game Center, Apple’s new Xbox-Live-like gaming service that brings officially sanctioned achievements and multiplayer matchmaking to supported iPhones and iPod Touches.

Game Center seems promising, but unfortunately, it’s been hard to figure out exactly what games have Game Center support and which ones don’t… making early testing of the service frustrating. To make things easier, Apple has just updated the App Store with a dedicated Game Center section, highlighting all of the apps that have baked in Game Center support so far.

Unfortunately, most of the games currently on display are a little lackluster, with Flight Control, Fieldrunners and Zen Bound 2 being the real standouts… but hopefully that will change sooner rather than later.

Those unconventional iconoclasts at Psystar might have been ground down to a gelatin paste by Apple’s legal team, but that’s not to say you can’t have a business selling Mac clones… as long as you don’t sell them with OS X pre-installed.

Just ask the guys at Quo Computers, “Apple enthusiasts who breathe and bleed Mac OS X” who have just announced their latest hackintosh: a truly ghastly tower called the maxQ2 with beefy hardware placing it somewhere between the performance of a high-end iMac and the Mac Pro.

Inside the chassis, the Q2 features an Intel Core i7 3.6GHz CPU, 12GB of RAM, a 240GB SSD, a 1TB hard drive and an NVIDIA 285 GTX GPU. The real appeal here, though, is the addition of Aestek’s liquid / copper cold plate cooling system, which will keep the innards frosty regardless of what you throw at it.

The maxQ2 will run Windows, OS X or Linux through EFI support… although Quo isn’t stupid enough to install OS X on it for you themselves. The Quo maxG2 starts at $3,675, and if you’re willing to trade aesthetic for horsepower while breaking OS X’s EULA in the process, it seems like an option worth considering.

Swimmers of Britain, stock up on small change! You’re going to need it to pay for a locker to put your iPhone into every time you go to the pool.

And why will you be taking your iPhone to the pool? Because, damp exercise addicts, you’ll have installed Splashpath.

Apple hardware hacker Charles Mangin has a respectable history smashing modern functionality into nostaglically held but utterly obsolete hardware. For example, Maguin’s amazing success inserting a Mac Mni into an old Disk ][ drive, or his even more breathtaking success cramming an old G4 cube into an even older Macintosh Plus.

Mangin’s latest project might be his greatest triumph yet though: an iPhone ensconced in the hollowed out shell of its evolutionary predecessor, the venerable Apple Newton. Charles has yet to complete the project, but given his past successes, we’re confident he’ll succeed… but will he update the Newton’s stylus with a touch-capacitive tip for extra points?

With the new touchscreen iPod nano, Apple successfully managed to shrink their mid-level iPod down to Shuffle-sized dimensions… but not without dropping some notable capability, including video recording and playback. It’s unlikely that Apple is going to suss out the dimensional wormhole technologies required to fit a video camera back into the nano’s postage-stamp-sized casing soon, but video playback might not be out of the question in a future software update.

The revelation comes by way of TUAW’s Erica Sadun, who spotted a lot of video-related details in the new nano’s internal settings property lists, with options for captions, alternative audio, television subtitles and screen aspect all hinting at possible upcoming support.

Interesting, to be sure, but Apple left video support out of the nano for a reason: that screen is just unsuitable to movie watching, and Cupertino knows it. The new nano, despite the touchscreen, is still similar in its innards to the old nano… my guess is that this residual functionality is simply legacy code from the fifth-gen, and Apple’s not about to flip the switch anytime before next year as an incentive to upgrade.

The popular open-source media player VLC is headed to an iPad near you thanks to App Store developer Applidium… and while it’s currently waiting for approval, there’s every indication that this time, Apple will let it through.

That wouldn’t have been the case a few months ago: Apple had tended to reject media playing apps from the App Store for “duplicating functionality.” This was an extraordinary headache for individuals who wanted to watch media on their iOS devices without first undergoing the cumbersome conversion process to QuickTime compatible MP4.

Recently, though, that’s started to change, with Apple approving more universal media-playing apps like OPlayer and CineXPlayer. If the new VLC is subject to the same standards, it should have no problem getting through the approval process.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it does. VLC has long obviated QuickTime on my Mac. I’m ready to let it do the same for my iPad as well.

Apple has re-introduced field test mode in iOS 4.1, which will allow you to quickly check the quality of your cellular signal by simply dialing: *3001#12345#* and pressing Call on your iPhone.

The signal bars on your iPhone will be replaced by a number. The higher the numeric portion of the negative number gets the worse your signal is. For example, -100 is worse than -79.  If you tap on the displayed number the display toggles between displaying the number and the normal signal bars.

The original field test mode had a more robust set of features being reported, but signal strength is all you get in this version.

Try the test for yourself and during the test hold your iPhone 4, the wrong way, by connecting the two metal bands on the lower left corner with your finger or hand over the black plastic strip. You’ll see the phone’s signal quality drop rather drastically due to the iPhone 4 death grip. According to AnandTech they were able to make calls and remain on that call with a signal strength as low as -113 on their iPhone 4.

If you are done testing simply press the Home button to return to your iPhone Home screen.

This is an interesting development considering the fact that Field Test Mode vanished in iOS 4.0 when it was released along with the iPhone 4 and the subsequent Antennagate scandal that rocked the Internet.

[via Gizmodo]

Apple iPhone Configuration Utility hits version 3.1. The new version was released today and includes enhanced support for iOS 4 and bug fixes. I highly recommend this often under utilized tool as something to have in your arsenal of tools for advanced iOS troubleshooting on all devices running iOS.

Apple’s utility wasn’t designed as an end-user troubleshooting tool — it’s intended to help enterprise users create configuration profiles for device deployment – but it does provide some functions that can be useful for anyone performing advanced troubleshooting on their iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Any user can use the tool to:  install and uninstall troublesome apps, access the console log on iOS based devices, and perform many other iPhone configuration tasks.

You can even use it to prove whether or not your iPhone 4 proximity sensor is working or not.

The iPhone Configuration Utility 3.1 is currently available via Software Update or as a direct download for Mac OS X or Windows. Information about using this application to integrate iOS devices with your enterprise systems is available at https://www.apple.com/support/iphone/enterprise/.

Four school districts in California have teamed up with publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in a pilot project to test the use of iPads in math education.  400 iPads will be distributed among six schools in the program for use in algebra classes:

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt today announced a year-long pilot of the first-ever full-curriculum Algebra app for the Apple iPad. The pilot also represents the launch of HMH Fuse™, a new mode of curriculum delivery where interactive platforms and mobile devices bring learning to life for students by moving beyond the one-way experience of a print or digital textbook.

Through the revolutionary iPad environment, students can receive feedback on practice questions, write and save notes, receive guided instruction, access video lessons and more with the touch of a finger. The app’s multi-dimensional functionality combines instruction, ongoing support and intervention, allowing teachers and students to customize learning and meet individual needs.

The schools involved include Washington Middle School and Hudson K–8 in Long Beach Unified, Kings Canyon Middle School and Sequoia Middle School in Fresno Unified, Amelia Earhart Middle School in Riverside Unified, and Presidio Middle School in San Francisco Unified School District.

The iPad is a natural platform for use in education, it’s a magic sheet of paper which can display text, graphics and video, test students, provide internet access and facilitate student-teacher interaction.  Many colleges and universities have already begun exploring its possibilities.  I don’t doubt it will find a strong niche in grade school as well.

[via SlashDot]

“This thing is thin!” says iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens, who just performed a teardown of the 4G iPod touch. “So thin that there is literally no room for the 5 MP camera in the iPhone 4.”

Here’s what he found:

Apple has updated the iMovie app for iPhone to version 1.1. This new update requires an iPhone 4 or 4th generation iPod touch running iOS 4.1. The update includes automatic music looping for longer videos, an updated photo browser that displays the newest images at the top, and the ability to split video clips.

In addition to these changes you can now scrub to preview clips in the video browser, take advantage of in-app tips that helps you to use key iMovie features more effectively, and finally there are Apple’s infamous performance and reliability improvements.

Current iMovie users can upgrade for free now via the iTunes App Store. If you would like to know more about iMovie then read my in-depth review iMovie a Mobile Video Studio in Your Pocket. Afterwards, if you decide to purchase iMovie it costs only $4.99.

Just as Apple has released the iOS 4.1 update, iPhone hackers have found a new way to jailbreak the latest iOS that will be hard for Apple to patch.

The Dev-Team’s Musclenerd says his fellow hacker pod2g has found a boot ROM exploit in the iOS 4.1 as it goes live. Musclenerd advises iPhone users to stay away from the 4.1 update until work on the latest jailbreak is completed.

”Crazy timing that @pod2g got latest exploit just as 4.1 went public (lots of work left…keep away from 4.1 for now!)” Musclenerd tweeted.

A low-level bootrom exploit will be hard for Apple to fight. Boot ROM exploits cannot be patched with a firmware update the way that Apple closed the PDF security hole that the iOS 4.0 JailbreakMe exploit relied on.

Apple would have to make changes to the hardware of its iOS devices to fix the exploit. Previously, pod2g discovered the 24kpwn exploit, which allows older iOS devices to be jailbroken via PwnageTool, but has been patched by Apple in its latests devices.

For complete instructions on jailbreaking and advice on the best software to install, see our Jailbreak Superguide.

Via Redmond Pie.

A case that converts the iPod touch into an iPhone (kinda) is coming to the U.S.

GoSolarUsa Inc. says it is bringing the Apple Peel 520 to the United States.

Developed by Chinese company Yosin, the Apple Peel 520 clamps to the back of the iPod touch and contains a battery, dock connector and SIM card slot. With it, the iPod touch can make phone calls and texts. Early reviews are mixed: it works but is buggy.

It is expected to go on sale for about $60. GoSolarUsa hasn’t given a launch date.

Go get it! Available through iTunes.

The update for iPhone and iPod touch includes lots of bug fixes, as well as new features like HDR photos, HD video upload, TV show rentals and Game Center.

The update is compatible with iPhone 4; iPhone 3G and GS; and iPod touch 2G. Not all features work on all devices however.

In November, Apple will release iOS 4.2, which will include iPad support.

This is a great day for iPad-owners seeking a deal. We’ll get to those, but first our spotlight bargains. First up is the Dilbert Mobile app for iPhone and iPod touch users. The app is usually $4, but it is now free. Next is a mini stand for your iPad. Finally, is the 2010 app bundle from MacUpdate. This bundle includes 10 applications.

Along the way, we’ll also check out a camera kit for your iPad, an 80 percent reduction on iPad accessories, and several cases for your iPhone 4. As usual, details on these and many other items are available at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page after the jump.

Apple’s iTunes Store may soon be remembered more for its applications than its music roots. That’s the conclusion of a new report showing its taken 2.2 years for the App Store to deliver 6.3 billion apps, a milepost it took the iTunes Music Store around five years to reach, according to TechCrunch’s interpretation of the above Asymco chart.

Owners of iPhones, the iPod touch and iPad average 17.6 million apps downloaded per day, compared to around 7.5 million songs, according to the firm.

The Royal Mail is hoping to boost the collectibility of its stamps with augmented reality.

Pointing your iPhone camera at these special-edition stamps featuring the Great British Railways leads you to a video of Bernard Cribbins (that’s Wilfred Mott to you Doctor Who Fans) reading W H Auden’s poem, “Night Mail.”

The Royal Mail isn’t new to these kind of media tie-ins, Auden’s poem was written for a 1930s documentary of the same name about a mail train from London to Scotland.

A new app launched today should go a long way to eliminating iDevice storage limitations. ZumoCast is a free app that lets users stream content — videos, music or images — from their computer to their iPad, iPhone or iPod.

I’ve spent the last few days playing around with an advance copy, and I’m pretty stunned with how well this app is put together. Streamed movies are transcoded seamlessly on the fly in the background, and streamed music sounds fantastic — even over 3G. The whole thing is also incredibly user-friendly, works with a minimum amount of fuss and does things like automatically import your iTunes playlists. Content can even be downloaded from your computer to your iDevice, and it also allows browsing, viewing and downloading documents.

And surprisingly, it’s completely free.

All the fuss over this summer’s “antennagate” surrounding the iPhone 4 release cost Apple 20 percent of sales, according to a survey released Wednesday. However, possibly more worrisome for the Cupertino, Calif. company is three times as many people complained of the lack of a Verizon iPhone than of signal trouble.

“The antenna issue is removing upside potential for iPhone units, but Verizon is actually the most significant factor limiting demand,” writes Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster.

We’ve already heard that Apple’s iPad is putting a hurt on netbook sales. Now comes thinking that the iPad is a threat to the entire PC industry.

“Sales of traditional notebooks appear to be feeling pressure from the iPad,” UBS analyst Maynard Um says. Although the iPad cannot match PCs function-for-function, consumers who buy an iPad “may be more willing to delay purchases and upgrades of existing PCs,” Um told investors.