iLounge

Apple quietly lost one of its most important iPhone and iPod executives late last year, according to a new report. Citing anonymous sources, 9to5Mac reports that David Tupman, Apple’s Vice President of iPhone and iPod engineering for over a decade, left the company late last year. Tupman was hired by the company shortly before the introduction of the original iPod, and was soon promoted to vice president of iPod engineering, a position that saw him help in the development of every iPod released to date. Tupman was also tapped to help build the iPhone, and, as a result, his title was expanded. In addition, Tupman is listed on around 70 Apple technology patents, including filings related to power and battery life management, noise-canceling ear buds, iPhone power adapters, and interaction with accessories. According to the report, a successor has yet to be named, but Apple is said to be actively pursuing a replacement from inside the company.

Apple this morning seeded its registered iOS developers with the third beta version of iOS 5.1. According to Apple’s sparse release notes state simply that the release contains “bug fixes and improvements”. The update is currently available as an OTA Software Update for devices already running iOS 5.1 beta 2, and will likely be available shortly to registered iOS developers from the iOS Dev Center.

Corning has, as promised, announced details of its new Gorilla Glass 2 material, the second-generation of the damage-resistant cover glass used in iOS devices. According to the company, Gorilla Glass 2 enables up to a 20 percent reduction in glass thickness, while retaining the same damage- and scratch-resistance as the original. Corning claims that the new material will allow for slimmer devices, brighter images, and greater touch sensitivity. While Gorilla Glass 2 will debut on Windows-based PCs, the company claims that a number of its global customers are expected to unveil new devices using it in the coming months.

New code found within iOS 5.1 suggests that Apple is currently working on iOS devices with quad-core chips. According to 9to5Mac, iOS 5.1 includes updated processing-core management software that makes references to an option of “/cores/cores.3”, which according to people with knowledge of iOS’ inner workings, refers to a four-core chip, as “cores.0” refers to a single-core device, and “cores.1” to a dual-core chip. As noted in the report, the presence of this reference in iOS 5.1 suggests that the next-generation iPad, which is likely being tested using the software, will feature a quad-core processor. iLounge’s Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Horwitz, citing a reported yesterday that the device is likely to be launched around the same time as the iPad 2 was a year ago; the iPad 2 was launched on March 11.

GameStop has announced that the company’s trade-in program for the iPod, iPhone, and iPad has seen “strong consumer enthusiasm” in the months it has been available. “The velocity of this trade program has exceeded our expectations,” stated GameStop president Tony Bartel. “We expect to see strong post-holiday traffic as customers trade in older models that were replaced by gifts.” Through the program, customers receive up to $180 in store credit for an iPod touch, up to $300 for an iPhone, and up to $400 for an iPad. Thanks to the success of the program, the company expects to continue to expand the availability of GameStop refurbished devices. [via Joystiq]

Amazon has released an update to its Kindle app for iOS devices adding magazine support for iPad users and document support for all iOS devices. Kindle 2.9 on the iPad now introduces a new interface for reading magazines on the device, providing iPad users with access to Amazon’s catalog of over 400 magazines and newspapers for the Kindle Fire, displayed in full colour pages. Users can purchase single issues or subscribe to magazines and newspapers and have them wirelessly delivered to the Kindle app on the iPad. The iPad version also provides a new layout for reading print replica textbooks that preserves the original formatting of the actual print editions along with support for notes and highlights, zoom and pan and a linked table of contents.

The latest Kindle app update also now allows all iOS devices to receive e-mailed documents in the same manner as the Kindle devices and introduces the ability to open PDFs from Mail, Safari and other supported iOS apps or sync PDF documents to and from the Kindle app over USB via iTunes File Sharing. The integrated Kindle PDF reader provides the PDF table of contents and thumbnail navigation to allow users to quickly navigate through PDF documents. Kindle 2.9 is a universal app and is available from the App Store as a free download.

Apple is now offering free next-day shipping on many online orders in the United States. According to Apple’s holiday shipping page, non-engraved iPads and iPods, the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, non-customized and popular iMac configurations, and the Apple TV can all be ordered today for arrival by December 24, thanks to the free next day shipping offer. For all other products, customers are advised to check their cart for expected delivery dates.

In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Grand Theft Auto III, Rockstar Games has released an iOS version of the highly acclaimed console and PC title. Grand Theft Auto 3 for iOS takes players back into the dark and seedy underworld of Liberty City, with a massive and diverse open world that players can explore at will and a wide variety of characters to interact with in an immersive storyline. The game includes redesigned HD graphics designed to take full advantage of the latest iOS device capabilities alongside high-quality voice acting and touch-screen optimized controls. Grand Theft Auto 3 requires an iPhone 4/4S, iPad 2 or fourth-generation iPod touch running iOS 4.3 or later and is available from the App Store for $5.

Apple has released the second version of iOS 5.1 to registered iOS developers. According to Apple’s release notes, this new beta adds the ability to delete photos from a Photo Stream, along with other improvements; it also notes that the accompanying preview release of Xcode 4.3 is distributed as a single application bundle, allowing it to be installed directly from the App Store without the need for a secondary installation process. iOS 5.1 beta 2 is available now to registered iOS developers as a direct download from the iOS Dev Center.

Google has released Google Currents, a new content aggregation and reading app for iOS devices. Google Currents provides access to top content from a wide range of publishers such as CNet, AllThingsD, Forbes, Saveur, PBS, Huffington Post, Fast Company and more delivered in a format optimized for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Users can also add their own RSS, video and photo feeds and integrate their Google+ streams and Google Reader subscriptions to provide a customized content experience. Google Currents also provides a Trending Editions section that leverages Google search technology to build a customized collection of the five top trending stories in categories such as world, entertainment, sports and science, updated hourly and presented as a compiled edition of articles, videos and pictures. The application also provides offline reading support so that users can browse and read their customized magazines even without an active data connection. Integration with Google+ allows users to easily share articles or videos with their circles; Facebook, Instapaper, Pinboard and Tumblr are also supported as additional services. Google Currents is currently only available from the U.S. App Store and is a free download.

Microsoft has released My Xbox Live, a universal iOS application that allows Xbox users to access their Xbox Live accounts while on the go. The application allows gamers to connect with their Xbox Live friends, track and compare achievements and even change their 3D avatar dirtily from their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Users can review recent games that their friends have played or jump into the games hub to learn more about the latest Live games and apps. The app also provides access to Xbox Spotlight feeds, breaking news from Xbox Live, game tips and tricks and more. My Xbox Live requires iOS 4.3 or later and is available from the U.S. App Store as a free download.

Chair Entertainment has released Infinity Blade II, the much anticipated sequel to last year’s highly acclaimed sword-fighting action game, Infinity Blade (iLounge Rating: A). Infinity Blade II continues the epic story from the prior game with the God King defeated and the player now on a quest to discover the secrets of the Infinity Blade, descending deeper into the world of the Deathless tyrants and their Titan armies. Originally unveiled at Apple’s iPhone 4S Event in early October, Infinity Blade II was shown as a demonstration of the higher performance hardware in the new iPhone 4S; the game has been optimized for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 to provide extremely detailed and high-resolution graphics and lighting effects to create an immersive and dynamically changing environment with graphics and animation described as beyond what is being done on high-end gaming consoles.

Infinity Blade II expands on the gameplay of its predecessor adding three new styles of combat with multiple classes of weapons, armours and spells that include specialized capabilities such as Dual Wielding and Two-Handed in addition to the standard Weapon and Shield classes. The character customization has also been further expanded from the original, allowing players to use mystical objects that they discover in their travels to create and forge more powerful weapons and providing a richer storyline as the player explores and discovers the story of the Infinity Blade. iCloud support has also been included to allow players to synchronize game status between multiple devices. Infinity Blade II is available from the App Store for $7 and is a universal app supporting the iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, the iPad and iPad 2 and the third- and fourth-generation iPod touch. iOS 3.2 or later is required, iOS 5 is recommended.

Apple has seeded its first beta version of iOS 5.1 to developers. According to the company, the update—listed as build 985117b—provides improved dictation support for text input views on “supported devices”. In addition, Apple warns that devices should be backed up either using iTunes or iCloud prior to installation, and that devices updated to iOS 5.1 beta will not be downgradable back to prior versions of the operating system. iOS 5.1 is available now to registered developers from the iOS Dev Center.

Apple has started to air a new commercial for the fourth-generation iPod touch. Entitled “Share the Fun,” the 30-second spot shows a number of middle- and high-school aged kids using the device to text each other over iMessage, video chat over FaceTime, play online multiplayer games using Game Center, update Twitter, listen to music, and record video, while the song “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove plays in the background. Notably, given the lack of new iPod touch hardware this year, the commercial emphasizes features added in iOS 5. The new ad is available for viewing now on YouTube or in embedded form below.

Apple has posted a teaser image on its online store, informing customers of an upcoming sale this Friday. The teaser page indicates that the one-day shopping event will be held this Friday, November 25, at which customers can “discover amazing iPad, iPod, and Mac gifts” for everyone on their shopping list. At past Black Friday events, Apple has offered modest discounts on its iPod and iPad models, as well as more substantial savings on Macs and select accessories.

Loud Crow Interactive has released A Charlie Brown Christmas for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Based on the 1965 animated classic, the app presents the tale in an interactive storybook form narrated by Peter Robbins, the original voice of Charlie Brown along with the original dialog and digitally remastered illustrations, animation and music. The app provides interactive features on every page as the story unfolds allowing users to perform such tasks as playing Schroeder’s piano, finger painting and going carolling; users can also participate in the Super-Colossal Neighborhood Christmas Lights and Display content to unlock rewards and decorations for their very own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Word and note highlighting helps children improve reading and musical skills and individual words are repeated with the tap of a finger. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a universal app and is available from the App Store for $7.

New code found within iOS 5 suggests that Apple is considering releasing a unified iChat client for its mobile platform. RazorianFly points to a series of tweets from developer John Heaton, who found references to a variety of services, all consolidated under an IMService banner. Specifically, the code references iMessage, FaceTime, Jabber, and AIM; consolidating all those various messaging protocols under one application would substantially simplify messaging on the devices. Such a move could also lead to similar changes to iChat for Mac, which currently handles only the latter two protocols, while FaceTime is a separate app, and iMessage is currently unsupported on the Mac. [via Mac Rumors]

AOL has released a major update to its AIM instant messaging client for the iPhone and iPod touch sporting a new redesign from the ground up with several new features. AIM 5 adds support for storing and syncing message history across multiple devices so that all messages are more readily available, with the ability to take conversations “off the record” for privacy requirements. Group chat has also been included and enhanced to make it simpler to talk and share with multiple users and users can now share photos and locations directly in a conversation stream. The app also adds the ability to copy and paste messages, set quiet hours for muting sounds and push notifications, modify incoming message sounds and see notifications for activity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in addition to the AIM network. AIM 5.0.1 is available from the App Store in two versions: a full version, AIM ($3) and an ad-supported AIM (Free Edition). An iPad native version is also available but has not yet been updated to version 5.0.

Google has re-released its official Gmail app for iOS devices as an updated version properly enabling push notifications. First released two weeks ago, the application presented a push notification error when starting up, causing Google to subsequently pull the application from the App Store and promise to release an updated version. Gmail 1.0.1 is otherwise identical to the prior version, except that users will now be prompted to enable Push Notifications when first opening the app and will be able to see badge counts and receive sound and vibration alerts when new mail is received. Gmail is available from the App Store as a free download.

Flixster has released an update to its Movies app for iOS devices adding support for downloading UltraViolet movies for offline watching. Flixster users can add UltraViolet Digital Copies to their collections using redemption codes included in Blu-Ray or DVDs that they have purchased and will then be able to stream or download those movies to their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad via the new Flixster app. The latest version also adds iOS 5 support and restores Netflix DVD Queue management which had previously been removed due to a Netflix policy change. Movies by Flixster is available from the App Store as a free download. Streaming requires an iPhone 3GS/4/4S, third- or fourth-generation iPod touch or iPad, a Flixster account and at least one UltraViolet movie in the user’s Flixster movie collection.