iLounge

Thunk has introduced its new Appstand accessory for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Appstand is a unique stand for the iPhone that places the device in the center of a mat and frame combination, in effect turning the iPhone into a digital picture frame. Users have full access to all ports and controls while their devices are in the frame; other features include interchangeable Appmats, a spring-loaded stand offering four distinct viewing angles, and a clip for optional cord storage. Thunk’s Appstand for iPhone 3G and 3GS is available for pre-order now and is expected to begin shipping on December 1 for $20.

Gigaware has introduced its new In-Line Control with HD Radio for iPhone and iPod touch. The Dock-connecting controller features a remote control setup similar to that of Apple’s prior iPod Radio Remote, as well as an HD Radio tuner, iTunes Tagging support, the ability to show song information on the iPhone’s or iPod touch’s display. The In-Line Control requires iBiquity Digital’s free HD Radio app for the iPhone and iPod touch, and is available now exclusively from RadioShack for $80.

Google has signed an agreement to acquire mobile advertising firm AdMob for $750 million. Founded in 2006, AdMob has become a leading provider of mobile advertisements on both the iPhone and Android platforms, across both web-based properties and within applications. According to a statement from Google, it believes the acquisition will enhance the company’s “existing expertise and technology in mobile advertising, while also giving advertisers and publishers more choice in this growing new area.” A letter from AdMob founder and CEO Omar Hamoui regarding the acquisition is available online.

Verizon is continuing to attack both AT&T and the iPhone with another new wave of TV advertisements. The most scathing spot, “Misfit Toys,” is based off the fictional Island of Misfit Toys as seen in the 1964 stop-animation holiday TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and sees an iPhone-like device arrive on the island to questions of why it was there when it can “download apps and browse the web,” with an AT&T 3G coverage map appearing above its head to explain the situation. Continue reading to view all three ads in embedded form.

Bowers & Wilkins has posted a preview page for its upcoming P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones for the iPod and iPhone. Although details on the new personal listening device are few, the preview page does reveal that the P5s will feature a natural sound signature, a closed-back design with rigid metal faceplates and sealed earpads made from New Zealand sheep’s leather, passive noise isolation, and an in-line iPod- and iPhone-compatible remote and microphone box. Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones for the iPod and iPhone will be released in January 2010; pricing has yet to be announced.

iFrogz has announced the launch of its new MyFrogz line of customizable Luxe cases for iPhone. Available in AT&T stores nationwide, MyFrogz’ packaging includes a customization code for use with the free MyFrogz app or on iFrogz’ MyFrogz website, as well as a clear protective case for use until the customized case arrives. Customers can create unique case designs by choosing from more than 20 color options for both the top and bottom pieces, and from options such as a classic metallic or semi-transparent “frost” finishes. Once a case has been created, the case is made and shipped immediately, normally arriving at the customer’s address in less than one week. MyFrogz customizable Luxe cases are available now from AT&T stores across the U.S. and sell for $35.

RadioShack has announced that it will begin to offer the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a limited number of stores later this month. The phones will initially be available only at select company-owned stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York City metropolitan areas; the company says it expects to roll out the iPhone in stores nationwide next year.

A new iPhone worm first spotted in Australia is spreading amongst jailbroken devices, changing their backgrounds to a picture of “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer Rick Astley. Similar to the harmless extortion message sent out by a Dutch hacker to users of jailbroken iPhones on T-Mobile Netherlands last week, this new worm attacks devices which have been jailbroken and had SSH activated without the owners changing the default password. Comments found within the worm’s code say, “People are stupid and this is to prove it so… [setting the SSH password] is not thats [sic] hard guys… But hey who cares its only your bank details at stake.” Apple has often mentioned security issues as a reason why it is opposed to users jailbreaking their devices.

Apple has released Apple TV Software 3.0.1, the latest software update for its set-top box. Unusually, Apple sent out an e-mail to Apple TV customers informing them of the update, and telling them that if they have installed software 3.0, that they should “immediately update” to version 3.0.1 to prevent “content from temporarily disappearing until it is resynced.” The disappearing content problem is also mentioned in an Apple support document linked within the e-mail. It is unclear what other changes might have been made in the update; Apple TV Software 3.0.1 is available now via the Update Software option in the device’s General settings menu.

Apple has launched a new Reserve and Pick Up service ahead of the holiday shopping season that allows customers to reserve products online for pick up in one of Apple’s retail stores. Included in the service are all models of iPod, and most Mac computers; curiously missing from the reservation system is the Apple TV, while the iPhone link simply pops up a message promoting the iPhone Gift Card. All iPods and laptops are also available for gift wrapping. No charge is applied at the time of reservation; instead, customers must pay in the store when picking their items up between December 15 and 24.

A new Apple patent application published this week suggests the company is working on a system of simplified data transfer between devices such as the iPhone, iPod touch, Mac computers, and Apple TV. The application covers a variety of transfer methods, including local Wi-Fi, cellular, and near-field networks, and also mentions the use of online data storage services that could serve as an intermediary between devices. In addition, the system would allow for simple transfer not only of individual files, but also of content with applications, allowing the user to pick up exactly where they left off on the other device. Notably, the illustrations accompanying the patent show two new iPhone/iPod touch applications, one called “Grab & Go” that would presumably be used to quick file transfers, and another called “Revisit,” which would give users access to recent browser history, searches, media, files, and more. As with all Apple patents, this filing does not necessarily represent any future product release from Apple, but offers evidence of the company’s research in this area; continue reading for images from the application.

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Apple has begun sending out emails to customers who purchased iTunes LP or iTunes Extras content prior to the release of Apple TV Software 3.0, informing them that updated files are now available. As Apple revealed in a Support document last week, the new Apple TV software requires updated iTunes LP and iTunes Extras files to work properly. The emails states, “We have updated the iTunes LP that was included with [Album title and artist] so that it can now be viewed on Apple TV in addition to your Mac or PC.” The email includes a direct “Check for Available Downloads” link, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to do so manually. It also notes that the updated files will automatically replace currently existing versions, and that the new files must be synced with the Apple TV.

Apple has posted a new job listing on its website seeking an “iPhone OS Platform Security Manager,” suggesting the company is looking to further secure its mobile operating system. The job description says the company is ” looking for a talented and inspired manager to lead a team focused on the platform security of iPhone OS. The team is responsible for secure booting and installation of the OS, partitioning and hardening of security domains within the OS, cryptographic services, and risk analysis of security threats.” Responsibilities of the position will include “setting the roadmap for the iPhone OS platform security with an emphasis on hardware support and trusted computing methods,” “creating and promoting a development environment that encourages innovation and sets high standards for quality and productivity,” and “driving a methodology for proactively finding security vulnerabilities.”

While the iPhone OS has yet to be the target of a widespread virus or other malicious attack, hackers have been able to consistently jailbreak each new release, allowing for the installation of unsupported applications and modifications, potentially making the devices more vulnerable to attacks, as seen in a harmless extortion scheme earlier this week. In addition, other potential vulnerabilities have been found and demonstrated at hacking conferences, although Apple has normally adressed these with subsequent software updates. It is unclear whether this position, whether it be a new job or an attempt to fill a now-vacated position, would be charged with blocking jailbreakers or simply focusing on other security concerns. [via The Industry Standard]

Vers has introduced its new open-front Shellcase wooden cases for the iPod touch and iPhone. Made from Walnut, Cherry, or Bamboo, each case features a soft, scratch-resistant lining, steel pin reinforced corners for added strength, a durable UV and moisture-resistant clear coat, and offers access to the screen and home button, iPhone sensors, camera, headphone jack, and sleep/wake button. Vers’ new open-front Shellcase wooden cases for the iPhone and iPod touch are available now and sell for $40 each.

A class action lawsuit (PDF Link) has been filed against iPhone game developer Storm8 accusing the company of secretly transmitting and collecting players’ phone numbers. Storm8 makes a variety of games available for download from the App Store, including iMobsters, Vampires Live, and Zombies Live, which the company says have been downloaded more than 20 million times, making them “the number one role-playing games for the iPhone and iPod touch.” While the suit acknowledges that Storm8 admitted to transferring players’ phone numbers in August, calling the problem a “bug,” it also states that the company “could not have accidentally harvested its users’ phone numbers” and needed to use “very specific and specialized software code to do so.” This is not the first time a company has been accused of secretly stealing users’ phone numbers via an application; European application mogoRoad was said to be transferring users’ numbers and using them to place the unsolicited calls in September.

Quirky, a community product development service, has introduced the Beamer, its new case for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Made from hard plastic, the Beamer is a two-piece case with an integrated LED light. A recessed button on the side of the case opposite the volume buttons and ring/hold switch allows users to turn the light on for 10 second bursts—good for photos—or indefinitely if needed for longer periods. Other features include access to all ports and controls, a replaceable cell coin battery good for 10 hours of LED operation, and a slide-off bottom for easy docking. Quirky’s Beamer case for iPhone 3G and 3GS is available for pre-order now and sells for $32.

Fortune magazine has named Apple co-founder and CEO Steve jobs its CEO of the decade. “Superlatives have attached themselves to Jobs since he was a young man. Now that he’s 54, merely listing his achievements is sufficient explanation of why he’s Fortune’s CEO of the Decade (though the superlatives continue),” Adam Lashinsky writes in a two-page overview of Jobs’ business history. “In the past 10 years alone he has radically and lucratively reordered three markets—music, movies, and mobile telephones—and his impact on his original industry, computing, has only grown. Remaking any one business is a career-defining achievement; four is unheard-of.” In the multi-part tribute, Fortune also offers an interactive timeline of key products and releases from the last ten years, a list of the top 10 moments from his career, interviews with eight important figures that have known Jobs throughout his life, and more.

Intel has issued a comment concerning the iPhone sync issues some users are experiencing with certain PCs containing a specific Intel chipset. “Our leading theory is a BIOS or system configuration issue, but we are still investigating,” Intel said. The basic input/output system (BIOS) is the boot firmware run by a PC on startup, which identifies, tests, and initializes core system devices such as the graphics card, hard disk, and other hardware. As we reported earlier this week, the syncing issue appears to linked to Intel’s P55 Express chipset and its USB controller, which leaves the afflicted machines able to recognize the iPhone but unable to sync. The problem has been most prevalent among PCs running 64-bit Windows 7, but the issue has also been reported on machines running both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of both Windows 7 and Vista.

iFlipWallet has introduced the iFlip, a new case for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. The iFlip is a combination case and wallet, made from genuine leather and offering a wallet-like, flip-out addition on the rear of the case. Features include access to all ports and controls whether the wallet portion is opened or closed, access to the camera when the wallet is open, and several card slots on the interior of the wallet, including one with a clear cover to keep IDs visible. The iFlip iPhone wallet is available now and sells for $50.