January 2009 Archives

The showTIME is an easy, instant audio/video output solution for your iPod.

If you’re getting tired of squinting for that tiny iPod screen, the dongle works with all iPod and iPhone models that support video.

Just plug the device into your iPod touch, iPod nano, or iPhone, and the video can be displayed on any TV. Tapered metal RCA barrels promise a superior connection with no signal loss. Also, a 6-foot cord means that you won’t always have to get up to control your portable.

As further evidence of its increasing popularity among iPhone and iPod touch, Joost today announced its free app has been downloaded more than one million times from Apple's App Store.

Launched last November, the Joost app was created by the founders of Skype and Kazaa, Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis. The Joost News - Alert app enables iPhone and iPod touch users to watch thousands of hours of anime, comedy, drama, movies, music, documentaries, sci-fi and sports over their Wi-Fi connections.

A new version of the Joost application was released earlier this month to give users enhanced usability and stability for a more streamlined interface and better overall performance.

The next upgrade to iPhone will have a strong focus on gaming, experts agree. That's because the gaming market is an increasingly lucrative segment of the mobile market, and it's one that Apple's successful iPhone is well positioned to dominate.

"The iPhone and iPod touch are becoming a major new handheld gaming platform, and if you look at the App Store and look at what's doing well, that's reflecting," said Bart Decrem, CEO of Tapulous, developer of the popular Tap Tap Revenge iPhone game.

It’s commonly agreed that the iPhone and iPod touch both pose a serious threat to dedicated gaming consoles such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, the reasons for which are threefold: The quick, electronic distribution method of games via the internet; the multi-touch display which is introducing new approaches to game play; and the iPhone and iPod touch’s lighter and more portable size compared to its rivals.

iSimple has announced that it has approved its GateWay iPod and iPhone integration system for use in more than thirty 2009 model cars and trucks.
 
Automakers approved for use with the GateWay product include Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Lincoln/Mercury, Nissan, Pontiac, Toyota and Volkswagen. The iSimple GateWay emulates satellite signal data to provide factory-installed automobile sound systems with direct iPod or iPhone connectivity.

It charges the iPod or iPhone’s battery, displays song information on the factory stereo display, lets you browse songs using your vehicle’s radio controls, and features a secondary headphone-style input to connect another portable audio device. The GateWay also can be upgraded with an HD Radio receiver.

Trivial Pursuit is now available for selected iPods. The game allows players to enjoy the popular trivia game on their iPods and features animations, sound effects, and stat tracking.

Trivial Pursuit on the iPod recreates that classic board game with 1,000 questions spread across six categories: Geography, Arts & Literature, Sports & Leisure, Science & Nature, Entertainment, and History.

Up to four human opponents can engage in a battle of knowledge with the pass-and-play option. Competition against human opponents is also available in Pursuit mode, in which you must reach the finish line as fast as possible by answering questions in rapid-fire succession.

Apple has released version 2.2.1 of its iPhone and iPod Touch operating system. While not a significant update, several minor changes have been made to the smartphone's OS. Users looking forward to copy and paste features and push notifications may be disappointed by the update.

Version 2.2.1 features several bug fixes and improvements including improved stability of Safari, its mobile web browser. It also fixes an issue where images attached in Mail did not display in the Camera Roll, and fixed an issue that caused Apple Lossless (ALAC) audio files to skip during playback on the iPod Touch.

Users can update their devices by loading iTunes, plugging in their iPhone of iPod Touch, and clicking the "Check for Updates" button on their screen.

The Octiv Air wireless speaker system includes an iPod docking station that acts as a transmitter, and one 40 watt stereo speaker that acts as a receiver.

The docking station also has an FM radio receiver, as well as an auxiliary port. The system uses wireless technology to stream the music from the base station to the speaker. A remote control includes buttons for volume, mute, bass, treble, play/pause and next/last track, and six presets for the FM radio.

The system is designed for users who would like to separate the location of their iPod from the speaker portion - the tiny docking station can sit on a desk, but the speaker can be wall-mounted or placed elsewhere within a range of 100 feet.

The Meccano Spykee Cell Robot with iPod Dock and Speaker will not only break out the moves around your home, it comes complete with an iPod dock so it will play music from your iPod through its stereo speakers.

This handy robot can be controlled by your mobile phone via Bluetooth, so there’s no need for obtaining yet another remote control. Your playlist will also appear on your mobile so you have full control of what tune comes next.

It also comes with a built in camera and all of its photography handiwork will be saved directly to your phone. Its iPod dock is compatible with both the iPod Nano and iPod Touch.

Boston Acoustics has launched the Horizon i-DS3 powered speaker system with wireless subwoofer for iPod and iPhone. The i-DS3 offers 100 Watts of "room filling" stereo sound and charges the iProduct when docked.

The i-DS3 is comprised of a "soundbar" and 2.4GHz wireless subwoofer with a down firing enclosure design that boasts a frequency response of 35Hz-150Hz.

With a mini remote, the system offers S-video and composite video outputs for TV hook-up, as well as an auxiliary input. With optional-extra metal grilles available in a variety of colours, the Horizon i-DS3 will begin shipping in March.

Dramacon, one of the top-selling manga titles in the United States, is available now on iPhone and iPod Touch through Uclick, a distributor of comics and games on mobile phones.

Dramacon is Svetlana Chmakova's story of a manga artist attending her first fan convention. As her status quo unravels, encounters with her manga idol and a mysterious stranger take her life in an unexpected and exciting new direction.

"Dramacon is a manga story that readers have connected with on a personal level, and this mobile presentation of Dramacon offers something for everyone," said Uclick CEO Douglas Edwards. "If you're a long time fan of the book, this is your opportunity to experience it in a new way and take it with you wherever you go."

Mark/Space, a leading provider of award-winning synchronization and productivity software in the US, has announced the release of Fliq Tasks for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Fliq Tasks is a useful application that lets users easily and quickly create, edit, categorise and share their tasks and lists on their iPhone or iPod touch.

Fliq Tasks makes it possible to do more with tasks and ‘to do’ items, such as sharing them over a Wi-Fi network with other iPhone and iPod touch users, and with Mac and PC Windows users.

Sensei Inc. the web-based wellness solutions company, have made available its innovative weight loss program known as Sensei for Weight Loss at Apple’s App Store.

This means tens of millions of iPhone and iPod touch users will now be able to take advantage of this program at an introductory price of $24.95 (around £18) for 3 months of Sensei Anywhere, which offers unbridled access on both their mobile device and desktop.

Sensei aims to be different from its competitors as it does not bother with calorie counts and points monitoring, but instead works on a supposedly higher level by offering expert advice from a team of psychologists, physicians, nutritionists and engineers in the form of a practical program that pushes forward simple changes in your lifestyle.

Timothy Ryan, an associate professor in the School of Public Health Sciences and Professions, plans to complement his lectures by distributing them to students equipped with iPod touches in his Introduction to Industrial Hygiene class this Spring. This trial run is a first at Ohio University, USA.

The lectures, which will be a combination of video and slides and have been specifically formatted for the iPod touch, will come preloaded on the device. The students are expected to watch and review the lectures before class to allow for a better use of class time.

“When it is time for class, we are going to restructure that time,” Ryan said. “It will be more engaging, more questions and answers and exercises. The talking at you has been done already.”

Singapore Airlines has announced that its new Airbus A330-300 aircraft will offer iPod and iPhone connectivity for all passengers, including those in economy class. The facility will enable travellers to play their own iPod and iPhone songs and videos through KrisWorld, the airline’s award-winning in-flight entertainment system.

Following the introduction of the iPod connection feature on Singapore Airlines’ all-business class A340 planes last year, the carrier claims that it is the first in the world to make it available in its economy cabin.

The connection ports will be located on a panel next to each seat’s in-flight entertainment screen, which will also contain a USB port allowing passengers to play music, view photos or read PDF documents.

There are ways to keep hands covered while doing simple iPod navigation tasks in the cold. Perhaps the simplest of these devices is Kombi’s I-Rip gloves. Following a successful launch last winter, Kombi has added a lady’s version of the glove. Both the men’s and women’s gloves carry a suggested retail price of $150 (£108).

The gloves feature a wireless controlling system manufactured by Fibretronics. There’s a small joystick on the back of the left glove which connects to a transmitter contained in a small, waterproof pocket in the cuff of the glove. That transmitter sends one of five navigation commands - including volume control and track selection - to a receiver plugged into the base of a click-wheel iPod.

The iPod can be carried secure in a clothing pocket or backpack. The system works even when there up to 30 feet between the glove and iPod.

Market research company Morgan Stanley has claimed that the Apple iPhone is outselling the T-Mobile’s G1 by almost six to one in the US market. Google G1 is the first mobile phone to be powered by the Android mobile operating system.

It is available in the US market at the moment through T-Mobile USA. Google is also selling it in some European markets. Apple on the other hand is selling the iPhone in several markets around the world.

Morgan Stanley reported that 300,000 units of Google G1 were sold in the US between October and December 2008. In comparison, Apple sold 1.75 million iPhones.

New to the Apple iTunes App Store is Brushes, a natural media painting application, which offers users the ability to turn their iPhone and iPod touch into a blank canvas. Brushes offers several realistic brush styles, an advanced colour picker, a gallery view, and virtually unlimited undo and redo options.

Flick between three different brushes ranging in style from smooth to bristly and choose any brush size from 1 to 64 pixels in diameter. Brushes offers the ability to zoom in and out your artistic endeavours by pinching, with the potential to zoom in up to 400 per cent. Drag with two fingers to pan when zoomed in.

A YouTube video showing the process is available Brushes website while users are encouraged to showcase their work on a dedicated Flickr group. Among those showing what is capable on a small mobile canvas is Stéphane Kardos, an Art Director at Walt Disney, based in Los Angeles, California. The results are impressive.

TOWN councillor Brian Boughton claims he is being threatened with expulsion from Dartmouth's town council chamber — for not talking to God. This month Mr Boughton stood in the council chamber listening to an iPod rather than join in with the traditional prayers session led by the local vicar.

Now the councillor, a retired surgeon whose daughter is former Radio One DJ Emma B and who was famously prosecuted for shooting a seagull in Dartmouth, claims he has been told to say prayers or leave the council's Guildhall debating chamber while they are going on. And town clerk Chris Horan has admitted that the council is taking legal advice over the issue.

Mr Boughton, who was ostracised by his fellow town councillors last year when he was thrown off every single council committee because of his behaviour, declared: "What I have suggested is that they can say a little prayer before they come to the meeting. I don't see why I should be the one to go."

President-to-be Obama’s Inaugural Ceremony live to every iPhone and iPhone 3G in on planet Earth, Ustream.tv has announced that their Ustream Viewing Application is live in the iPhone App Store! Ustream had been waiting on Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) to green-light the live video-stream viewer for acceptance into the App Store, and are proud to make their new iPhone app available for free.

Just this morning we told you about Ustream’s iPhone app announcement. Tonight, the Ustream Viewing Application is ready to pull down live video streams of all shows on Ustream.tv’s site. The new Ustream iPhone app boasts a live interactive chat feature that allows Ustream.tv users to chat about the show they’re watching.

Unfortunately, the app is limited to WiFi-only viewing for the sake of decent video quality. But, Ustream did mention that we should “stay tuned for developments,” so we’re going to keep our fingers crossed for an update that enables viewing over 3G data connections (we’re going to go ahead and dismiss any EDGE-enabling updates altogether). Keep an eye on Ustream’s live streaming coverage of the Presidential Inauguration on January 20!

Photographer John Warner and software developer Shawn Nussbaum, both of Asheville, have teamed up to create a new application for the Apple iPhone that could make it easier to take the perfect photo anywhere in the world. Downloading the application could allow you to duplicate the famous photographs that Ansel Adams made of the crescent moon hanging over Half Dome at Yosemite National Park, Warner said.

Nussbaum is interested in developing more applications for the iPhone. “It's an incredible platform. They talk about the gold rush with what happened with the Internet in the 1990s. The iPhone has that same feel now with up to 12,000 applications available.”

Warner agreed. “I've got some other photography applications ideas,” he said. “It's been a major paradigm shift for Apple to invite others to develop onto their platform.”

It seems Apple has begun approving third party web browsing applications for the iPhone platform.

There have been reports that a number of new apps have begun appearing over the last 24 hours.

Apple has been criticised in the past for its approach to approving apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch, not allowing any apps that seriously rival their own products. Web browsing applications were previously refused on the basis of "duplicating functionality" of Apple's own Safari browser.

The new cordless 2GB NWZ-W200 Walkman is Sony's latest product which could reclaim some of the prized personal audio market which Apple has begun to dominate with the iPod Shuffle.

In form, the device is no more than a pair of earphones and a connecting band but the company’s boffins have managed to fit 2GB-worth of digital audio capacity and an impressive player inside the slim casing.

Without wires connected to another device and the ease of operating controls which are right next to the user's ear, this new release is aimed squarely as gym enthusiasts and runners, not to mention anyone who likes to keep their music enjoyment free from sometimes troublesome wires.

Sony introduced several new music systems and a clock radio that work with iPod and iPhone devices for ultimate connectivity. With the latest technology and sleek designs, these products are both fashion-forward and multi-functional.

"We are committed to evolving our personal audio offerings to reflect consumer listening habits," said Andrew Sivori, director in the Audio Products Division at Sony Electronics. "With the addition of iPod docks and ports in a variety of platforms, there's something for just about everyone."

Shortcovers is releasing a mini-application that lets people read books, short stories or other written works on iPhones in a direct challenge to electronic book devices sold by Amazon and Sony.

Shortcovers software will be available for free download after it clears Apple's vetting process and makes it to the virtual shelves of iTunes online App Store.

"People aren't reading less, they are reading differently," Shortcovers User Experience Director Pamela Hilborn said while demonstrating the application at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Free calls over Skype, the Internet communications service, could be coming soon to the iPhone.

Skype, a subsidiary of eBay Inc., said at the International Consumer Electronics Show that a version of its Internet calling and instant-messaging software is available for Google Inc.'s Android cell phone platform as a free download. And it indicated an iPhone Skype program isn't far behind.

Scott Durschlag, Skype's chief operating officer, said Skype's iPhone application is still under development. Engineers are still working on cutting the amount of power the application consumes, he said.

Microsoft released their second iPhone app, TagReader [iTunes link], today. Simply point your iPhone camera at a Microsoft Tag and instantly you find out new information, such as a URL or some description text. Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it? You could be at a grocery store, see some interesting product, and scan its tag to find recipes that use it. Or, as Microsoft's own site points out, you could put a barcode on a house for sale and scan that to download the listing. Or to pick out shoes that match with your current outfit—okay, maybe not that one.

It sounds useful and it's already in the App Store for download. But half the utility in the app resides in the existence of tags. I've not seen any tags out and about, so I thought I'd visit their website to see if they had examples. Unfortunately, while Microsoft had no examples that I could try in person, there was a sample tag on their website, shown in the picture for this story. Sadly, due to their blockbuster web design, my browser showed only half of the tag—the other half rendered off the page—making it impossible to capture with the iPhone camera.

Thank you, Microsoft. That's helpful. Your new technology astounds and amazes me. So all I can tell you right now is that the idea is cool, but I have no idea if Microsoft's software actually works as advertised.

Forget the recession - here's the world's most expensive phone. This stunning diamond-encrusted iPhone will set you back a whopping £1.6m. The Apple iPhone 3G 'King's Button' i Photo: Barcroft. Designed by Austrian jeweller Peter Aloisson the customised iPhone is priced at £1.6 million.

The iPhone is surrounded by a white gold line encrusted with a total of 138 brilliant cut diamonds of the best quality. But the most prominent feature of the "Kings button" phone is its home button that features a rare 6.6 carat diamond.

The iPhone has capitalised on the sucess of the iconic iPod to become the most sought after of a new generation of smart phones.

There’s been buzz for the past few weeks of a major increase in the popularity of the iPod Touch. In early December, it popped up as a top seller on Amazon. Many developers say they saw a huge rise in downloads starting on Christmas day, from what they believe are new iPod Touch owners.

Now comes some data to suggest they are right. New survey data from AdMob, which runs an ad network for mobile devices, says the number of ads served up to iPod Touch devices rose from 86 million in November to 292 million in December. And the vast majority of those December clicks occurred after Santa had made his rounds. Traffic more than doubled the week of Christmas from the week before.

AdMob vice president Jason Spero says the iPod Touch’s ascendance is unprecedented in its surveys. While ad activity on iPhone is also increasing at a rapid clip, “there was even more of an increase” for the iPod Touch. “It’s truly astounding growth.” While AdMob doesn’t know exactly how many iPod Touches are responsible, he says such an increase couldn’t have occurred without a big uptick in sales of the device (that is, it’s not likely it occurred because existing iPod Touch users suddenly began clicking on far more ads).

Apple and Cisco Systems have used the Macworld Expo in San Francisco to release a version of Cisco's WebEx Meeting Center collaboration application designed to run on Apple's iPhone 3G and iPod touch. iPhone and iPod Touch users will be able to join a meeting with the click of a button; the connectivity is enabled through 3G or Wi-Fi networks. There is no charge for joining a meeting.

To start using the service, users must download the Cisco WebEx Meeting Center application from the Apple App Store. Once this is completed they can join any meeting by clicking an invite link.Users will not be able to upload their own presentations, but will be able to view others, according to the firm.

iPod Touch users get a slightly different experience in that they can join a meeting over a Wi-Fi connection, but will need to get the audio portion from a phone. Apple has been able to show off a number of recent productivity applications for its handheld devices, including the newly announced HP print application. This lets users send images stored on their iPhone or iPod Touch via a wireless connection to an inkjet printer.

Griffin Technology announced an inline controller/FM radio for iPods and the iPhone yesterday. I know what you’re thinking: what’s the big deal about yet another remote for the iPod? Well, this one features an OLED screen that displays what you’re listening to so you can pocket your iPod and still stay in the know. So there.

The Navigate, which is available now, also features an FM tuner, so you no longer have to gnash your teeth about missing all your FM favorites (though fans of AM talk radio are still out of luck). You can preset 4 stations as favorites, though you can scan the stations for those obscure stations.

But wait, there’s more! Coming to the App Store in March is a companion app for the Navigate (only when you use it with an iPhone or iPod Touch, of course) called iFM. iFM extends the functionality of the Navigate by showing you a list of available radio stations based on your current location, as well as allowing you to ‘bookmark’ songs you hear on the radio for later purchase at the iTunes Store.

We-Envision thinks you want to get your name out there. The company announced myCard, an iPhone and iPod Touchapplication that beams your business card information to others using any available Internet connection, at this week’s Macworld Expo.

A Beam myCard feature lets you send your info from your iPhone or touch to another iPhone or touch with myCard installed, over the Internet. You provide a short code for the other person to enter, and your card info appears in seconds. If your recipient doesn’t own myCard—or an iPhone, for that matter—the Email myCard feature lets you send your information as an industry-standard vCard e-mail attachment. myCard also remembers the last card you sent, making it quick and easy to send your card again, without retyping.

You can select which parts of your card to beam with a simple tap, omitting personal information such as your mobile phone number or notes that you don't want shared, as well as choose your own "skin" to personalize the application.

As part of the trio of iTunes-related announcements during his Tuesday morning Macworld Expo keynote address, Phil Schiller announced that Apple had added support for purchasing and downloading music and podcasts on the iPhone using a 3G data connection (previously support was limited to Wi-Fi-connected phones and iPod touches--it was even called the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store until today). And yes, it works.

But what Schiller didn't mention is that you now can download using the slower (much slower) EDGE data connection as well (a tip o' the hat to Daring Fireball's John Gruber for pointing it out just after the keynote). Back at the office, I turned off Wi-Fi and 3G on my iPhone, then proceeded to search for and download a free iTunes track using my EDGE connection. And yes, it too worked.

There are two downsides to downloading over EDGE, however. First, it took 15 minutes and 12 seconds to download a 9.3MB track, a lot longer than it would have taken over 3G or Wi-Fi. And second, the iPhone has same size restriction for iTunes downloads that it has for App Store downloads--namely, you can't download anything larger than 10MB over 3G or EDGE.

So the photos on your iPhone are the apple of your eye, but you need a convenient way to print them out and show them off at home or at work. HP, which has recently moved to unify printing and the web through its Print 2.0 initiative, has released a new application called iPrint Photo, which enables you to print 4″x6″ photos wirelessly from your iPhone or iPod Touch on certain HP printers. Right now, iPrint Photo only prints JPEG files, but HP seems receptive to expanding the softwareís compatibility and functionality in future versions.

Overall, iPrint Photo provides some interesting insight into how HP intends to stay relevant in an era where web connectivity comes in all shapes, types and sizes. The choice of compatible devices is a good one - the iPhone and iPod have become popular accessories in purses, pockets, bookbags, and briefcases around the world as consumers of all ages look to stay connected and entertained no matter where they go.

In addition, iPrint Photo is free, widely and easily accessible via the Apple App Store, compatible with HP printers only, and it reminds people that they can print from places other than just their desktop or laptop computer. As a result, devoted iPhone and iPod users may very well get the message and make HP printers and consumables a regular part of their web-browsing experience. Don’t be surprised to see other printer manufacturers follow HP’s lead in the near future.

LAS VEGAS -- Sharper Image, a former favorite of geeks for its awesomely craptastic gadgets, went into bankruptcy last year. Now at CES 2009, the company is trying to make a comeback with a shiny iPod dock and wireless speaker system.

Riding on millions of iPod users may sound like a good strategy but there's no dearth of iPod docks out there. Still Sharper Image is hoping its latest addition will impress potential customers.

The rocket-tip shaped iPod dock's two halves can be joined together or separated to transmit audio for up to 150 feet from the base system. Features-wise there's little new in it. But at $130 its a system that should appeal to those who like some pizazz in their home decor.

Like casually spotting the Abominable Snowman behind a Christmas tree, Techcrunch recently confirmed rumors of an iPod Touch with a 7-to-9 inch screen--a revelation that could change the digital book market.

Those dimensions could bring the iPod and iPod Touch list of e-reading applications to a larger screen, rivaling the 7.5 by 5.3 inch screen on Amazon's popular Kindle e-reader. It could use digital book readers like Lexcycle's Stanza and ScrollMotion, and allow readers to surf the web while reading--powerful Kindle competition. According to the tech blogger's sources, the device will hit stores this Fall.

TeleRead ponders this momentous development: "Will it be good or bad if Apple comes out with the tablet and maybe even dominates the e-book industry? We've seen how Amazon has tried to inflict the Kindle format on the world. Will Apple try to do the same with its own creation or with a DRM ally such as ScrollMotion? Might Apple try to lock out third-party products like Stanza that combine e-reading and distribution infrastructure? And about Apple's censorship of Knife Music?"

Skype users will soon be able to talk to each other via the iPhones thanks to Truphone. Officially announcing on Tuesday at the start of Macworld in San Francisco, Pocket-lint has learnt that Truphone will announce that it has worked with Skype to bring the ability to make Skype to Skype calls via theiPhones and the 2nd generation iPod Touch.

All customers will have to do is to download the Truphone application and sign in with there Skype ID to see there regular contacts. “The introduction of Skype calling and instant messaging represents yet another breakthrough for Truphone,” said Geraldine Wilson, Truphone CEO. “What this means for Truphone’s customers, is that they can now call or message all their Skype friends using their iPhones or iPod Touch. This allows iPhones and iPod Touch users to have a choice in how they stay in touch with friends and colleagues around the world all within the one application.”

The service is scheduled to be available to all customers during the week of 12th January 2009. The company has also announced that it will be adding support for MSN, Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk to the service.

Macworld 2009 looks to be the coming out party for the new 64 GB iPod Touch. Rumours have been buzzing since this summer that Apple would be looking to release a version of their iPod Touch with even more memory, and with the thought that a 64 GB iPod Touch is in the plans, fans of the tech device have reason to be excited. It could be as soon as this week, at the Macworld 2009 Expo in San Francisco, California, where the announcement of the new Apple product is made.

The 64 GB iPod Touch release date may not be the only big news about the iPod Touch that gets released at Macworld 2009. There are also heavy rumors that the price points for the iPod Touch product line will be lowered in an attempt to make them more comparable with the iPhones and like products. The rumors don't just stop there though, as there are also thoughts that the iPod Touch could get GPS capabilities, making it an even "cooler" toy for fans of Apple to enjoy.

The iPod Touch is one of Apple's portable media players, which affords the user the ability to not only play songs, but to play videos and movies in a very compact version. The Wi-Fi platform was designed and marketed by Apple starting in 2007, and has quickly become one of the more popular products in the realm of "touch screen" electronics. Previously the iPod Touch had been available in 8, 16, and 32 gigabyte formats, and with the introduction of a 64 GB system, it is just going to ramp up the capabilities for users.

The problem of fakery is becoming as serious for phonemakers as fashion designers, but usually knock-offs and copies only appear once a device has actually launched. iPhone forgers are going a step further and producing versions of the iPhone Nano, a product that nobody has even confirmed is in the works, let alone unveiled.

Rumours that Apple would create a small, low cost version of its iPhone, as it did for its iPod music player, have been circulating for months, and like the alleged Apple netbook, have gained new strength ahead of next month's MacWorld show, where the vendor often debuts its new launches. Before we find out whether the 4Gb iPhone Nano is real or not, consumers in Thailand can get their hands on a fake, built to fit the descriptions circulated by the Nano rumourmongers. These 'copies' are now appearing in other Asian countries and are expected to reach Europe after the new year.

Many of the fake Nanos sport the official Apple logo and iPhone labeling and branding, according to Apple Insider, and have a similar operating system with the same icons and wallpapers.

Many customers in chillier climes - particularly Canada and northern areas of the US have expressed annoyance that their touch-screen iPhones do not work properly when wearing gloves. In response, the company has submitted designs for an "iGlove" at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The application states: "When users, in cold weather, wear thick or bulky gloves ... the loss of tactile feedback to the user may prevent the user from properly operating the iPhone, and may lead to frustration. Alternatively, if the user has to remove his gloves ... the user's hand may become cold and uncomfortable, which may also lead to user frustration."

Apple's proposed solution is a "high tactility glove system" – a glove made of two layers, with a thick, probably woollen outer layer, and a thin internal conductive layer, replicating the human finger which can conduct electricity. In the fingertips of the outer layer there are "apertures" through which the user can thrust his finger to press any bit of the iPhone while still protected by the inner layer.

Generally we don't like to get too involved in hardware rumours (we prefer games gossip and celebrity slander), but when tittle-tattle of a large form iPod Touch wafts in on the New Year's lavender scented breeze, it's hard not to pay close attention.

TechCrunch apparently has it from three reliable sources (one of which has had its hands on the prototype) that Apple is currently scouring Asia for a manufacturer to bring its new seven- or nine-inch large form iPod Touch wafts to mass production.

Apple's experimented with tablets quite a lot in the past, and obviously it's seen considerable success with its ultra-stylish notebooks, but the potential for a thrice-gorgeous nine-inch iPod Touch wafts speaks volumes as pictures form in your mind. Quite what sort of cost we'd be looking at, considering the already lip-biting price tag of the 3.5-inch version, we're not sure, but who wouldn't want to fondle its bigger brother in all that multi-touch, glass-fronted glory?

Dozens of once-popular console, computer and arcade games are now playable on the iPhone, and take advantage of the device's signature features: touch-screen display, built-in accelerometer (motion sensor) and online connectivity.

Examples of refreshed classics include Sega's Super Monkey Ball, PopCap's Bejeweled 2, EA's Tetris, Laminar's X-Plane and Namco's Pac-Man.

Now, Maxis' award-winning city-building simulation, SimCity, and Namco's quirky I Love Katamari game are both available in pocket-sized form on the iPhone or iPod Touch.