New Camera Apps Discovered In The iOS 4.3 beta 2

With the release of Apple’s iOS 4.3 beta version almost upon us, it is expected that the iPad 2 will more than likely come equipped with both front and back facing cameras.

With the new release of the iOS 4.3 beta 2 version, MacRumors has discovered some new evidence about the new iPads front facing camera. The MacRumors website has found three new iPad apps icons on the new iOS 4.3 Beta 2, these include FaceTime, Camera and Photo Booth. You can view these new iPad app icons in the image below.

The new Camera app will more than likely allow users to take photographs, while there is still uncertainty if the iPad will come with a back camera, this new app will more than likely be used for the front camera only. The Photo Booth app is probably much similar to the Mac OS X Photo Booth application, which gives users the unique ability to take photos and then add various effects or filters to them. The Facetime application will allow users to video conference with other people that are using the same Facetime app, whether that is on the iPad, iPhone or Mac OS.

Until Apple officially unveils its highly anticipated iPad2, we will just have to keep speculating on its features and just hope that it comes with all the wonderful things that we have come to expect from the Apple Company.

Netflix App Drops "Add DVD’S To Que"

The popular movie rental company Netflix has announced that they are dropping their “add to DVD queue” option from all devices that have online streaming capabilities.

These devices include your iPad, iPhone, Xbox, PS3 and any other devices that can stream live videos.

Of course this will not be a big deal to most users, considering that majority of people have already moved to the “streaming only” plan. However, there still remains a large group of people that enjoy subscribing to actual DVD’s when their requested video aren’t available for streaming. Netflix has obviously changed their policies because they are trying to encourage users to become more internet savvy in 2011.

According to a statement from Netflix, “we want to concentrate on offering customers the titles that are available to watch instantly. The company also stated in their blog that by keeping the DVD rental option available, that it complicates the instant watching experience for viewers, thus slowing down your internet streaming feature

Streaming Video with AirView

If you have been searching for a solution that would allow you to stream videos from one iOS device to another, then the new AirView iPad app might be the perfect solution for you.

AirView is a completely free app that uses AirPlay technology to turn your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch into a virtual AirPlay receiver, allowing you to play videos streamed from other iOS devices.
The app is extremely user friendly and requires no special setup to work, and it is compatible with virtually any iOS device.

Once downloaded, users simply launch the application and wait for an AirPlay based connection to show up. Once the connection has been established, you can then start playing media from your device while streaming it over to other iOS devices, which all must be running AirView.

FX Photo Studio HD Review

If you are looking for a complex yet user-friendly photo editor for your Apple iPad then the “FX Photo Studio HD” app maybe the perfect solution for you.

This new photo editing application includes various older vintage filters and unique visual effects that will definitely make even the most boring of photos shine.

The FX Photo Studio HD app gives you a professional type photo editor without having to deal with a complex gui that is hard to navigate through. The app features a wide selection of options that will help you add cool effects that will definitely improve your photo editing abilities. You can turn your prized pictures into a retro type photograph or even a picture drawn by a pencil with the simple push of a button. You can also change the background by adding a beautiful frame of flowers or butterflies, or whatever else you can think of, your choices are pretty much unlimited with this.

There are a lot of different photo editing apps for the iPad, but FX Photo Studio HD definitely stands out above the crowd. There are a lot of advanced features available in the plug-ins section, but if even that isn’t enough, and then the free application will give you in-app purchase options to add other filters or effects.

Steve Jobs Takes A Temporary Medical Leave From Apple

Apple CEO Steve Jobs sent a letter to all of the Apple employees telling them he will be taking a temporary leave of absence for unknown medical reasons.

In a letter that Jobs sent to his staff, he explains that he needs time away from the company to focus more on his family and his health. Steve Jobs will still be the Apple CEO and is not officially stepping down from Cupertino based company, but he has given Apple COO, Tim Cook, temporary control of the company.

Team,

At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

Steve

This isn’t the first time that Steve Jobs has stepped down from the company for medical reasons, in 2009 the Apple CEO underwent a liver transplant.

The Beatles Have Sold Over 5 Million Songs In 2 Months

After only being in the iTunes store for about 2 months, The Beatles have sold over 5 million songs and over a million album downloads.

These statistics were recently brought to light in an interview from an Apple Representative with The Loop magazine.

The report stated that the most popular Beatles song downloaded is “Here Comes the Sun”, which sales for about a $1.29. Also, the Apple rep stated that the Beatles Album “Abbey Road” is the most popular album being sold, which sales for $12.99.

The Beatles catalog recently showed up in the iTunes store just a few months ago, after the negotiations have taken around seven years. There has been obvious beef between the company that owns the rights to the Beatles “Apple Corps” and “Apple, Inc”, and the two companies have even battled in court regarded trademark related issues.

The Beatles songs are different from most artists in the iTunes store because they receive more royalties from the sales of their songs than others.

New Rock Music History App For The iPad

If you’re a fan of rock music (and who isn’t?) and are interested in retracing the steps of famous bands like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and lots of other British music bands, then there is a new iPad application that is perfect for you.

The Rock Music Landmarks of London app for the iPad will be your guide through rock music history. The app will show you dozens of famous places that rock bands played, such as Marylebone, the “death flat” where Mama Cass and Keith Moon died and St. Martin’s College, where the Sex Pistols played their first show ever.

The Rock Music Landmarks of London app features an interactive map that points you directly to famous spots originally visited by these famous rock artists. Once you arrive at your destination the app will inform you exactly what happened at the spot. The app is narrated by the former Old Grey Whistle Test host, Bob Harris, and is the perfect fit for all music history lovers.

So if you love rock music and live, or plan on visiting London anytime soon, then the Rock Music Landmarks of London music app is perfect for you! You can download it from the Apple app store.

The Otterbox Commuter: Total iPad Protection

The thin and eye-catching OtterBox Commuter Series for Apple iPad is sure to guard your new toy from everyday mishaps.

Enjoy full access to all buttons, ports and features, along with snap-off access for your optional iPad dock. Also incorporated with the case is a self-adhering protective film for your touch screen to safeguard against scratches and dings. This innovative OtterBox case will enhance your peace of mind while keeping your iPad as fabulous as the day you purchased it!

Some Features are: Access to all buttons and features, with silicone plugs which provide coverage for ports. It includes a self-adhering protective touch screen film, and a snap-off access for optional iPad dock. Its layers offer tough protection, and a slim form factor that has a smooth outer layer allowing the case to slide easily in and out of a pocket, purse or bag.

iPad 2 SKUs Appear on Best Buy's Website?

According to a report that I just read on PadGadget, Best Buy is rumored to have imported three new Apple products into their website with generic SKUS called "Apple iPad SKU WiFi”.
These tree mysterious products appeared yesterday, all having different named SKU’s than that of the previous iPad. While some critics think that these new listings are simply the result of an inventory error from Best Buy, the chances are better that the electronics company is simply creating place holders for the up and coming iPad 2.
Even though Best Buy confirmed the legitimacy of these three new database products, they have since been removed from the BestBuy.com website. While the listings didn’t prove much details in regards to the new iPads, but they didn’t show that the products were WiFi only and that they would cost anywhere from $599.99 to $699.99.

ThinkGeeks arcade game has been released for the iPad

If you did not have a motive to purchase an iPad before, CES 2011 ThinkGeek has fixed that.
Beginning as an April fool’s joke, a fake miniature arcade game was imagined to hold an iPad connecting it to a joystick and its buttons, which are common to a retro arcade game.
The idea of the iCade was such a success; it has been now made into a reality. ThinkGeek teamed up with ION Audio and Atari to bring the iCade to market. The desktop iPad cradle was officially unveiled at CES 2011. The iCade’s controls connect to the iPad via Bluetooth so it is just as easy as gently placing your iPad into the cabinet and “Insert Coin”.

Atari will have classic games available via the App Store with iCade support built in – including Asteroids. In addition an easy to implement API will be made available to developers allowing iCade support to be added to almost any game.

The iCade is priced at $99.00 US.