iLounge

Incase has introduced its new Sports Armband Deluxe for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The Sports Armband Deluxe has been completely redesigned from prior versions, and features a detachable case with an integrated belt clip that offers full access to all ports, controls, and cameras, and a fully adjustable perforated arm band with a connector plate designed to work with the case’s clip. Incase’s Sports Armband Deluxe for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S is available now and sells for $45.

Norwegian indie developer Machineboy has released Duration, a new app designed to provide a simple and elegant timer for everyday tasks down to the second. The app provides a large animated countdown display that makes it easy to visualize how much time is left even from a distance or for kids who can’t yet tell time. Unlike the iPhone’s built-in Clock app, Duration also provides the ability to set the timer to intervals in seconds, making it useful for counting down shorter intervals such as timing a turn in a game, boiling the perfect egg or timing short workout sessions. The app provides five coloured themes and five custom alarm sounds with optional tick-tock sounds and vibration features. Duration requires iOS 5.0 or later and is available from the App Store for $1.

Capcom has released an iOS version of the popular Nintendo DS mystery adventure game, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. Originally created by Shu Takumi, father of the critically acclaimed Ace Attorney series, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective combines Takumi’s signature style of quirky humour, logic puzzles and an intriguing storyline wrapped in a unique art style. In the game, players take on the role of Sissel, the ghost of a murder victim with no memory of who he is or what happened to him; players must unravel the mystery of Sissel’s demise by guiding him through dynamic environments, possessing and manipulating objects and solving puzzles before time runs out at daybreak. The game features intuitive touch screen controls optimized for the iOS platform, enhanced graphics and incorporates Game Center support. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a universal app requiring iOS 4.3 or later and is available from the App Store as a free download and includes Chapter 1 and 2; subsequent chapters are available via in-app purchase in three different packs for $5 each or $10 for all chapters.

Tunewear has unveiled its new Security Locker for the iPad 2. Designed for use in businesses or other public environments, the Security Locker consists of a clear polycarbonate hard case that is secured together using screws, and an included security lock and wire system that can be used to secure the device to a desk or table. The same holes used for attachment of the wire can be used to attach the included shoulder strap; the Security Locker also comes with protective film for the iPad’s display, and offers full access to all port and controls while the device is encased. Tunewear’s Security Locker for the iPad 2 is available now and sells for $100.

According to the latest data from IDC, Apple was the third-largest mobile phone maker in the world during 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Apple’s 37 million unit shipments accounted for 8.7 percent of the mobile phone market, bested only by Samsung’s 22.8 percent and market leader Nokia, which accounted for 26.6 percent. For 2011 overall, Apple shipped 93.2 million iPhones, good for six percent of the market, again bested only by Samsung and Nokia; LG and ZTE rounded out the top five. Apple held the fifth-place spot as recently as Q3 2011.

Apple has hired former Xbox Live marketing boss Robin Burrowes. According to MCV, Burrowes, who had worked at Xbox for seven years, will become Apple’s marketing head for the App Store in Europe. Prior to his work with Microsoft, Burrowes worked for MSN and HMV. As noted in the report, Burrowes is the latest in a sting of high-profile British gaming executives Apple has added to its team, with most new additions focused on the marketing of either apps or iOS hardware.

Accio has released Mega Multilingual Word Find, a new word search game with a multilingual spin. The app features 20 categories, 10 languages and four board levels for hours or gameplay and language aficionados can unlock additional language packs to mix and match words from different languages, such as playing with English word lists and a Spanish puzzle board. In addition to classic word find game features, the app provides language learning tools such as the ability to mix and match puzzle and word list languages with consistent categories between languages and an IPA English option for linguistics enthusiasts. Additional supported languages include Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish; the free app includes English support with additional languages available for $1 each or $5 for the entire set of 10 languages. Mega Multilingual Word Find is a universal app and is available from the App Store as a free download.

Oceanhouse Media has released the Dr. Seuss Beginner Book Collection #1 for iOS devices, featuring five classic Dr. Seuss titles combined into a single omBook app. The collection includes the classics The Cat in the Hat and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish along with The Foot Book, Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? and Fox in Socks. The universal app also features unique professional narration, background audio and enlarged artwork for each scene as well as the ability to highlight individual words as the story is read and display and speak words when pictures are touched. As with Oceanhouse Media’s other omBook apps, users can choose to have the story read to them interactively or automatically or simply choose to read the book in its traditional form. Dr. Seuss Beginner Book Collection #1 is a universal app and is available from the App Store for $12.

iBattz has rolled out Mojo Removable Power Card battery pack for the iPhone, iPod, and other USB-charging devices. Roughly the size of a credit card and 12mm thick, the Mojo Removable Power Card features a removable 2500 mAh battery pack, a full-size USB port for charging and recharging, and 1.0 Amp output for fast charging of the iPhone. iBattz’ Mojo Removable Power Card battery pack will be available soon and will sell for $60.

Longform has released a new iPad application designed to provide access to its curated collection of the latest in-depth articles from the world’s best magazines and selected top content from across the web. First launched in April 2010, Longform.org is an online service that collects new and classic non-fiction content designed to be read beyond the web browser. Originally recommending services such as Instapaper, Read It Later and Readability, the company has now released its own iPad application tailored specifically for reading longform writing. The app features a reader-friendly design and provides full offline access to all articles. Users can quickly switch between the original web page view or a reading-optimized view and the application integrates with Readability for bookmarking articles in-app and from across the web and reading Readability content directly in the Longform app. Bookmarking via Instapaper and Read It Later is also supported, as well as sharing favourite articles via e-mail, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. Longform requires an iPad running iOS 4.3 or later and is available from the App Store for $5.

Apple has lost its bid for a preliminary ban on sales of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1N and Galaxy Nexus in Germany. Bloomberg reports that the Munich Regional Court rejected the motion today in one of many patent disputes between the two companies. “Samsung has shown that it is more likely than not that the patent will be revoked because of a technology that was already on the market before the intellectual property had been filed for protection,” Judge Andreas Mueller said when delivering the decision. As noted in the article, the ruling comes just one day after a separate German court upheld a sales ban on Samsung’s original Galaxy Tab 10.1 model; the 10.1N is a modified version, created by the company to circumvent the sales ban.

New photos of a clip-on iPod nano with a camera have appeared online. Taiwanese site Apple.pro has posted (Translated Link) four new photos showing what appears to be a sixth-generation iPod nano shell with a camera built into the upper left of the rear of the device, as well as a small hole on the top that would presumably be for a microphone.

Notably, the same website was the source of a similar photo last April, leading to speculation that a seventh-generation nano with camera functionality would appear in 2011. While such a device was never released, an Apple patent illustration—for a speaker that would be built in to the device’s rear clip—subsequently provided proof that the company had been working on such a design. While there is little doubt that the item pictured is a real Apple prototype design, it remains unclear at this point whether Apple actually plans on releasing such a device, as the challenges relating to photography on such a small device remain significant, and the value of this feature versus others that Apple could include in a new iPod nano is questionable. [via Mac Rumors]

This week’s featured photo is from our iPads Around the World gallery, and shows a black iPad 2 overlooking Kennon road in Baguio City, Philippines. To share your photos and to be considered for our Photo of the Week, you simply need to submit your own photo to one of our galleries. So get out there, take some pictures featuring your favorite iPod, iPad, or iPhone and maybe your submission will be our next Photo of the Week!

Vertical Horizon has released The Concept Clock for iPhone and iPod touch. Designed to provide unique artistic visualizations of time and the passing of time, The Concept Clock allows users to choose from seven different visualizations, changing views by using swipe gestures directly on the main screen. The application includes a gallery of selected background wallpapers or users can choose to use their own photo as the background and can also select from a variety of colour sets to match the chosen wallpaper. The Concept Clock requires iOS 4.0 or later and is available from the App Store for $3.

Padded Spaces has debuted its new Prop ‘n Go Slim stand for the iPad, iPad 2, and other tablet devices. The Prop ‘n Go Slim features a slim memory foam base to contour to the user’s lap, a new anti-slip silicon surface to keep the device firmly in place while in use, the ability to lock in to 14 different angles, and breathable fabric. Padded Spaces’ Prop ‘n Go Slim for the iPad and iPad 2 is available now in blue or black for $35; shipping is expected to begin on February 3.

Prank Ltd has released an iPhone and iPod touch version of Ant Raid, its arcade action game originally released last summer for the iPad. Ant Raid combines both arcade and casual RTS gameplay with cartoon graphics and a light horror themed storyline, challenging players to help a vibrant colony of ant-like creatures defend against swarms of mutated insects. The new iPhone version provides Retina Display support along with controls optimized for the smaller screen and 100 playable levels, four endless play modes, 24 different enemies and 47 Game Center achievements. Ant Raid for iPhone requires an iPhone 3GS/4/4S or a third- or fourth-generation iPod touch and is available from the App Store for $1. Two limited free versions have also been released, Ant Raid Free for the iPad and Ant Raid for iPhone Free which each include 10 unique levels.

Appigo has released a major update to its Notebook application for the iPhone and iPod touch, reintroducing it as a simple, universal note taking app. Designed to provide the ability to quickly and easily take notes and access them from anywhere, Notebook 2.0 uses a plain text format and stores notes in Dropbox for access from multiple iOS devices or any desktop computer. Notes are now organized into collections; users can continue to access their Toodledo notes from the previous version in the “Toodledo” collection and a local collection is available for notes that the user wishes to store only on a single iOS device. Users can create additional Dropbox collections based on Dropbox folders and share collections with other Dropbox and Notebook users simply by using the Dropbox folder sharing feature. Notebook 2.0 is a universal app requiring iOS 4.2 or later and is available from the App Store for $5.

Brian Barnes has released Outline Coach, a new iPad app designed to help users learn how to create more compelling speeches and presentations. The app is designed in a tutorial format, guiding users through a three-step process to create their best presentation; users begin with a brainstorming process by answering a few key questions presented by the application such as the purpose and style of the presentation to be given and are then taken through the process of organizing their thoughts around a storyline. A draft outline is then presented for users to work with and finalize using the app’s built-in outline editing tools. The resulting presentation outline can be printed via AirPrint, sent out via e-mailed or saved to Dropbox.

Outline Coach is based on years of experience in developing engaging presentations at various levels of business and combines western behavioural science and eastern philosophy, providing key perspectives such as emotional stickiness, motivation & urgency and argument theory and assisting with developments of a value proposition, hooks, case studies and more. In total, 37 key techniques are covered which can be configured to a user’s own needs.  Outline Coach requires an iPad running iOS 4.2 or later and is available from the App Store for $3; a free, limited version, Outline Lite, is also available.

Samsung was dealt another blow in its ongoing patent battle with Apple as a court in Germany has upheld a ruling barring sales of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the country. Reuters reports that a higher regional court in Duesseldorf, Germany, said that Samsung may not sell the older version of the 10.1 in Germany. Samsung redesigned the Galaxy Tab 10.1 for the German market only and named it Galaxy Tab 10.1N to get around the sales ban; Apple subsequently challenged that version in court, but had its claims rejected in a preliminary judgement. A final ruling in that case is expected on February 9.

China Telecom, mainland China’s third-largest carrier, is preparing to launch the iPhone 4S—perhaps as soon as February, according to a new report. Citing a news release from China Telecom subsidiary Beijing Telecom, China Daily reports that a version of the iPhone 4S compatible with the company’s CDMA network is likely to hit the market by the end of February or beginning of March. “China Telecom has already started preparatory work for the launch of the iPhone 4S,” said the release. Earlier this month, a version of the iPhone 4S compatible with China Telecom’s CDMA-2000 network received approval from the China Radio Management agency, clearing the way for its release. According to the report, no pricing details have yet to be disclosed; the iPhone 4S is currently available from China Unicom.