Hasta La Gadget!

Now that the number of App Store downloads to iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads around the world has handily exceeded the population of Planet Earth, we can hopefully put this story to bed until they hit another factor of ten — and as unreasonable as 100 billion downloads sounds, we’ll bet it actually won’t take that long. That’s right: just a few days after kicking off its online counter, Apple’s officially hit the 10 billion mark, which is a whole lot of software any way you slice it. So, Android Market, you’re next?

Update: The lucky winner was Gail Davis of Orpington, Kent, UK, who downloaded Paper Glider. PR after the break.

Continue reading Apple’s App Store hits 10 billion downloads (update: we have a winner)

Apple’s App Store hits 10 billion downloads (update: we have a winner) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 05:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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“The iPad 2 has a camera.” We know, it feels all but certain at this point (even when it’s far from official), but perhaps we can expand on that quoted assertion further. Like everyone else who can laugh at Objective-C jokes, 9 to 5 Mac has been digging through the latest iOS SDK and found some data referring to K94, which it claims is the codename for the next-generation iPad. (For reference, the original iPad was K48.) Anyway, within that code lies a string reference to “Back Facing 1MP Photo.” Going further, the front-facing camera is reportedly VGA — same as the iPhone, same as the iPod touch. It’s unclear if the also-found “K95” files also included the the same data, or what exactly that codename might be, but if you’re the betting sort, feel free to say, “the iPad 2’s megapixel mullet is 0.3 up front, 1 in the back.” It’s still a gamble until Apple unveils it with a puff of virtual smoke on a presentation slide.

iOS 4.3 beta suggests iPad 2 has one megapixel rear camera originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking for a case for your Apple portable? Consider the iChair, a slim case with a built in kickstand. iChairs have a rubber-coated matte finish. Because the kickstands are flush with the case when not in use, they don’t add any extra bulk. The iPad version is lined with microfiber and has two kickstands: one that holds it up high at three different angles, and one that holds it lower, just right for typing.

The case is available in black with your choice of an extra top slider case in either blue or white. All models come with a screen protector, cleaning cloth, and squeegee board for pushing out any bubbles when you apply the screen protector. In fact, the iPhone 4 case comes with front and back screen protectors. The iPad version lists for $49, while the iPhone 4, iPhone 3G/3GS, and iPod Touch versions list for $34. Not convinced? You’ll also get free shipping in the continental U.S.

We were politely asked to keep quiet about this until today, but here’s the truth: XBMC now runs on the Apple A4, period. As in, there’s no reason why you can’t install that shiny new Apple TV 2 version of the media center software on your jailbroken iPad or iPhone 4 too. Find instructions at our more coverage link… then give the hackers and developers a cheer.

XBMC comes to the iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A screenshot inside the latest iOS 4.3 beta from Apple gives further evidence that there will be both front and rear-facing cameras in the iPad 2. The shot, which is used to preview desktop backgrounds in the Settings app, shows icons for the FaceTime, Camera and PhotoBooth apps. PhotoBooth is currently an OS X-only App for taking and applying filters to photos of yourself.

The image is exactly the same as the current one except for the addition of these new icons, and the movement of the icon for the settings app to the last position in the list. Further, MacRumors has also found evidence of PhotoBooth filters within the beta, including “Thermal Camera, Mirror, X-Ray, Kaleidoscope, Light Tunnel, Squeeze, Twirl and Stretch.”

This would seem to be the clincher for expectations of a dual-camera-equipped iPad 2. It also means that I have just lost all incentive to buy an iPhone 4, now that the next iPad will do everything the iPhone can do, only without the pesky phone-calls.

FaceTime, Camera and PhotoBooth Icons Confirm Camera in iPad 2 [MacRumors]

Picture: MacRumors

See Also:

• Apple: New Multitouch Gesture Not for Public Consumption
• Apple's Next iOS Improves Interface, Adds New Gestures
• New Multitouch Gestures Lead to Buttonless iPad Rumors
• Rumors: iOS 4.3 Will Offer App Subscriptions as Early as December …
• Screenshots Hint All iPhones Could Become Wireless Hot Spots …