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Accessory makers are already making cases for Apple’s new iPhones based on leaked “design plans believed to have originated at Apple,” according to a new report. The schematics show an iPhone 5S that closely resembles the iPhone 5. The other phone, referred to in the report as “iPhone Light,” shows the device as slightly wider, taller, and thicker, with rounded edges.

Both schematics are consistent with our initial January reports on the budget iPhone and iPhone 5S, the latter of which notably features a larger rear flash. The schematics offer no specific indications on rumors that the budget iPhone will feature a plastic shell or multiple colors. [via Apple Insider]

Gangstar Vegas ($7) is the latest installment in Gameloft’s Gangstar series. Like earlier Gangstar titles, it’s a sandbox-style action and driving game in the Grand Theft Auto mold, letting you walk, fight, steal cars, and fire weapons across multiple missions. This edition notably includes an impressive rendition of Las Vegas, featuring renamed versions of many of the famous Strip hotels, including the pyramid-like Luxor, Treasure Island, and Wynn. Within minutes of starting the game, you get to experience an updated melee fighting engine complete with kickboxing moves, a vehicular gun and rocket launcher battle on the strip, and the use of several different kinds of vehicles. Amazingly detailed human character models have some of the most realistic faces we’ve seen in any iOS title, and like the GTA series, full voice acting and radio-like music selections are included.

Man of Steel ($3) by Warner Bros. was released last week, just before the movie of the same name hit theaters. Developed by Phosphor Games — and unfortunately sold in separate iPad (HD) and iPhone/iPod versions — Man of Steel finds Superman getting into a series of one-on-one fights with opponents from the film, as well as other characters. The graphics engine is pretty impressive, with nice character models, textures, and destructible 3-D backgrounds that Superman can punch enemies through, but the gameplay is somewhat shoddy. Simple swipe and dodge controls make for fights that are like neutered versions of Infinity Blade battles, interrupted every time Superman hurls an opponent backwards through the air. Despite some impressive touches, Man of Steel feels rushed and not entirely satisfying.

More alleged iPhone 5S parts have leaked, as photos from Japanese part vendor Moumantai and U.S. repair shop iHeart Repair show what appear to be a display assembly and logic board for Apple’s new device. As expected, the parts look very similar to iPhone 5 parts, with generally the same proportions. However, a report notes the display assembly has both a horizontal and vertical flex cable connector, which appear to align with the logic board.

These parts differ slightly from those on the iPhone 5: the alleged 5S logic board has a somewhat more slender profile, as well as a more rounded top and bottom, which collectively could make a little extra room for a battery or other components inside a same-sized chassis. It also appears to have a spot for a larger A-series processor. [via MacRumors]

A new report confirms that the Apple TV will include support for Apple’s recently unveiled iTunes Radio service. With the initial Apple TV Software beta, released to developers alongside the iOS 7 beta, iTunes Radio appears as a standalone app with its own icon. A series of stations compiled by Apple is apparently provided, along with the ability for users to create custom stations based on an artist, genre, or song and purchase the currently playing song through iTunes. [via 9to5Mac]

Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue revealed a number of additional details about Steve Jobs and the iBooks launch today while testifying in the DOJ’s e-book pricing conspiracy case. Cue said the “page curls” idea in the iBooks app when turning a page came from Steve Jobs, who also chose Winnie the Pooh as the free book to be included with the app. According to Cue, that’s partially because Jobs liked the book, and also because it showed off “beautiful color drawings, that had never been seen before in a digital book.” Also, Jobs used Ted Kennedy’s memoir, True Compass, during the first iPad demo because the Kennedy family “meant a lot to him.” Last week, Cue revealed a number of other details about the iBooks launch, most notably that Jobs had to be convinced of the idea of an Apple e-bookstore. [via AllThingsD]

Apple has released a statement on its website, titled Apple’s Commitment to Customer Privacy. The open letter reiterates and expands upon the company’s prior denials regarding PRISM, a U.S. government program which mines servers for data. In the statement, Apple details requests it has received for customer data from law enforcement officials, noting that it has repeatedly acted to protect as much data as possible while complying with lawful requests for information. Apple also notes that many of the requests were attempts to aid consumers impacted by lost devices or people. The company also says, “Apple has always placed a priority on protecting our customers’ personal data, and we don’t collect or maintain a mountain of personal details about our customers in the first place.”

Photos posted on German site Apfelpage.de (translated link) use an iOS 7 iPad emulator to show what some of Apple’s official apps might look like on an iPad running Apple’s new OS. The Control Center may not take up nearly as much screen space on the iPad, for instance.

Australian writer Sonny Dickson has posted these and many other images to his Twitter feed. Because an emulator is being used, iOS 7 may not look the same when it’s actually released for the iPad, however, the details point at the general direction Apple is taking with its tablet-specific interface. [via MacRumors]

A photo of what appears to be an iOS-specific gamepad accessory has been leaked. The controller is reportedly made by Logitech — a look at the gaming section of Logitech’s website shows the same “G” logo seen on the gamepad — and was apparently demonstrated following Apple’s WWDC keynote in San Francisco.

Apple’s recently posted guidelines for official game controller development show two types of controllers. The leaked gamepad resembles the first controller, made to fit an iPhone 5, with the control pad and buttons on each side of the inserted device. Given the similarities in shape between the iPhone 5 and fifth-generation iPod touch, it’s possible that both devices could work inside this accessory. [via Kotaku]

The latest edition of iLounge Weekly, our weekly newsletter covering all things iLounge, will be arriving in subscribers’ inboxes early next week. iLounge Weekly is a summary of the week’s best news, reviews, and feature articles we’ve published, and it also features giveaways and accessory discount offers from various companies. There’s still plenty of time to sign up and receive this week’s edition — just use the simple form below to submit your email address, if you haven’t done so already.

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Also be sure to enter our two giveaways for June. In our Kensington Proximo Giveaway, iLounge and Kensington are giving away ten Proximo Bluetooth Proximity Monitoring Systems for tracking your iPhone, keys, and bags. In our MaxBoost Fusion Battery Case Giveaway, iLounge and MaxBoost are giving away ten Fusion Color Battery cases, each with a pack of compatible snap-cases for customizing them in your favourite colours. Simply fill out and submit the form on the giveaway page to enter; both giveaways will end on June 30, 2013 at 11:59PM Pacific Time. Good luck!

Apple has revealed some additional details about iOS 7 on its website. Images of iOS 7 on the iPad and iPad mini were spotted on the bottom of the Apple iOS 7 features page, showing iOS 7 on the second- and fourth-generation iPad, in addition to the iPad mini. A new red icon representing Photo Booth can be seen in these photos.

Additionally, viewing Apple’s iOS7 design page using a mobile device reveals a few alternate icons. The weather icon shows the live temperature, instead of a cloud and sun, and the Passbook, Reminders, Mail, and Photos icons also have been tweaked slightly. It’s unknown whether these alternate icons were from the iOS 7 developmental stage, or if they’ll be seen in future betas. [via iGen.fr, 9to5Mac]

Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue revealed Thursday that Steve Jobs “wasn’t interested” in an Apple e-bookstore at first. Cue, testifying in the DOJ’s e-book pricing conspiracy case against Apple, said Jobs “never felt that the Mac or the iPhone were ideal reading devices.” Jobs first dismissed the idea in the fall of 2009 — but as the iPad launch drew closer, Cue believed the device would be an ideal e-reader, and Jobs also became convinced. Jobs agreed to go forward with an e-bookstore in November, and Cue was tasked with getting iBooks completed for the iPad’s debut in January. [via AllThingsD]

Microsoft Office has finally launched for iOS, through the Office Mobile for Office 365 subscribers app. Notably, the app is only compatible with iPhone 5, 4S, 4, and the fifth-generation iPod touch — there is no iPad version. Though the app is free, an Office 365 subscription is required for use, as is iOS 6.1 or later.

Users of the app can edit Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents. Other features include offline editing, cloud-connected documents, and the ability to create Word and Excel documents.

Four key claims of Apple’s “rubber-banding” patent have been validated by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Apple informed Judge Lucy Koh of the USPTO’s intent. In April, a “Final Office Action” ruled one of the main claims invalid; this claim had been key in Apple’s patent battles with Samsung. That claim will now receive a reexamination certificate, strengthening Apple’s case moving forward. [via FOSS Patents]

Rovio’s Angry Birds Star Wars ($1) has upgraded to version 1.3.0, and with it comes Lando Bird, a bird based on Billy Dee Williams’ famously suave Lando Calrissian. The game picks up at the point where Lando Bird is joining the Rebel Alliance, for those trying to keep their Star Wars and Star Wars Angry Birds timelines in order. Rovio has added 20 new Cloud City levels, new power-ups, new bonus levels, and a new boss fight — players can now take on Lard Vader. The same updates have been added to the iPad-only Angry Birds Star Wars HD ($3).

Myspace has completely revamped its free Myspace app to match the changes on its site. The new app now has a GIF creator and Social Radio, which allows users to create personal radio stations, like Pandora. It’s easier to connect with people through People Browse, and a number of other social sharing features have been added. There’s a heavier emphasis on music — will it be enough to get people talking about Myspace again?

Apple’s iOS 7 is adding improved integration for Bluetooth 4 LE (low-energy) accessories. iOS devices will work with more Bluetooth 4 accessories, and include new features for time, notifications, stereo sound, keyboards and more. An ability to sense location beacons will make location awareness much more precise. It will also be possible to set up and configure Wi-Fi accessories from iOS. Bluetooth will also be linked to the Apple Notification Center Service and Preservation and Restoration service. The ANCS allows for push notifications to Bluetooth Smart accessories. The Preservation and Restoration Service can figure out why an app was terminated, or to continue running an app, whereas in iOS 6, an app would stop talking to a Bluetooth device in such situations. [via 9to5Mac]

Apple is considering releasing two larger iPhones next year, according to Reuters. One phone could have a 4.7-inch screen, and the other would have a 5.7-inch screen, though Reuters’ sources are unclear as to whether either or both would actually come to market. If true, Apple would effectively be entering the “phablet” market, which has been written off by some as impractical despite growing demand. Sources also said test production for the next two iPhones — the iPhone 5S and budget iPhone — will start next month, with an eventual September launch target for both phones. Reuters suggests that the iPhone 5S will have new fingerprint technology, while Apple’s budget iPhone will come in a range of five to six colors. Additionally, Apple has discussed a price of $99 for the low-end iPhone, though it’s noted that the phone’s release “could slip to next year.”

iOS 7 users will be able to redeem iTunes gift cards using the device’s camera, thanks to an addition to the upcoming operating system’s App Store. iTunes for the Mac added the same feature last year, and it makes even more sense to bring the option to iOS devices. Additionally, the ability to read barcodes is built into iOS 7, opening up greater possibilities from third-party developers going forward. [via 9to5Mac]

Many of the new icons in Apple’s recently revealed iOS 7 were “primarily designed by members of Apple’s marketing and communications department,” according to a report. Apple Senior VP of Industrial Design Jony Ive reportedly used the print and web marketing design team to “set the look and color palette of the stock app icons.” The app design teams then designed the icons using those set palettes as a guide. Sources also said there are “inconsistencies in icon design,” and it’s been noted that iOS 7’s first beta is “mid stride” and a “work in progress,” fueling speculation that there could be a fair number of changes to the new OS by the time it’s ready for full release in the Fall. [via The Next Web]

Apple has updated its warranty policy in Belgium to comply with EU law, offering a full two-year statutory warranty, according to a Dutch Apple site (translated link). The company also similarly updated policies in France and Germany. Apple published a document in Dutch, noting the Belgian warranty changes. Previously, Apple had come under fire from a Belgian watchdog group, which filed a complaint regarding the company’s warranty practices. Apple was fined twice in Italy over similar warranty issues. [via 9to5Mac]

Apple is now offering developers instructions for creating officially sanctioned game controllers. Two game controllers are illustrated — both with a d-pad, four front buttons, and shoulder buttons. One of the controllers slightly resembles a Wii U Gamepad, as an iOS device could be placed within the controller’s center. The other controller is more traditional, and similar to Xbox or PlayStation controllers, adding two analog joysticks and two extra shoulder buttons. It closely resembles the shape of Nintendo’s Wii Classic Controller.

The new Game Controller framework describes three controllers — a standard and extended version of the iOS device controller, and a controller that connects wirelessly to an iOS device or Mac. The controllers must be optional, and will connect automatically once discovered. In addition to gaming for iOS devices and Macs, expect speculation about the devices being used for the Apple TV, which could conceivably become a home gaming console of sorts with wireless accessories. [via Touch Arcade]