iLounge

The latest edition of iLounge Weekly, our weekly newsletter covering all things iLounge, will be arriving in subscribers’ inboxes Monday morning. 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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iLounge is pleased to announce the iBattz Mojo Power Card Giveaway. In our Giveaway of the Month for February, iLounge and iBattz are giving away one of ten iBattz Mojo Removable Power Card battery packs. To enter, simply fill out and submit the form on the giveaway page—the giveaway will end on Febraury 29, 2012 at 11:59PM Pacific Time. Good luck!

Apple has released a minor maintenance update to iBooks, addressing an issue where iBooks textbooks may not open under certain circumstances. An update to iBooks Author has also been released on the Mac App Store expressly to provide an updated version of the End User License Agreement. The original iBooks Author EULA drew criticism for a clause suggesting that Apple was potentially claiming exclusive distribution rights for any commercial work produced with the iBooks Author application, preventing users from distributing such works in other formats. The new EULA adds some necessary clarification, with an update to section 2.B.(ii) which now reads

The new EULA clause clarifies that Apple is enforcing exclusive distribution rights solely on content packaged in its own proprietary iBooks format, but that users retain their rights in their original content and may distribute this content outside of the iBookstore in any other format.

The NFL has released three official iOS apps for this year’s Super Bowl XLVI. Super Bowl XLVI Official NFL Game Program (free) for iPad has been updated for this year’s event packing over 400MB of exclusive NFL video and other multimedia content plus additional interactive content chronicling the Giants’ and Patriots’ road to the championship, along with memories of past Super Bowls and key moments from the 2011 season. This app is for the iPad only and requires iOS 4.3 or later.

The SB SLVI Guide is a free universal app designed for those attending the event in person, providing a detailed guide to local restaurants, nightlife and official Super Bowl events, along with a 3D map of Indianopolis and an interactive 3D map of Lucas Oil Stadium for game day. The app also provides a connection to NFL Huddle to follow the social media buzz around the event and features to mark your parking spot and help find the right seating section in the stadium. This universal app requires iOS 4.3 or later.

Lastly, the Super Bowl XLVI Commemorative App ($3) for the iPad provides in-depth content for fans of the Super Bowl series including each team’s road to Super Bowl XLVI, a breakdown of the game, written recaps and key stats and bonus feature content including all-time, all-star teams and Super Bowl history. This Commemorative app will also be updated with additional bonus features once the game is over to include official video highlights of the game along with interviews, pictures, animated plays, stadium shots and more. The app is iPad only, requires iOS 4.3 and is currently on sale for a pre-game discount price of $3.

Readdle has released Remarks, a new note-taking and PDF annotating app for the iPad. Remarks provides the ability to create text notes and freehand sketches that are saved as PDF files that can be easily viewed, printed and edited on the desktop or shared via e-mail. In addition, Remarks provides the ability to quickly and easily annotate existing PDF files, providing tools to highlight, underline, and strikeout text or simply draw predefined shapes or freehand annotations directly in the document. PDF files created or annotated in Remarks can also be shared and edited by other Remarks users for team collaboration. The app also supports iTunes File Sharing for transferring PDF files between the iPad and desktop and provides the ability to open PDF files directly from other supports iPad applications such as Dropbox, Safari and Mail. Remarks requires an iPad running iOS 4.2 or later and is available from the App Store for $5.

Flos is now offering its new D’E-Light lamp for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Designed by Philippe Starck and made from chrome-plated aluminum, the lamp features a striking design, a 2700K flat panel LED light capable of producing 299 Lumens, and a top-mounted dock capable of recharging an iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Flos’ D’E-Light is available now and sells for $396.

The third edition of iPod and iTunes Portable Genius, penned by iLounge Applications Editor Jesse Hollington, is now available. Weighing in at 384 pages, the book includes a number of useful how-tos, tips, full-color screenshots, and other information for iPod and iTunes users. The third edition contains a variety of updated information, including details relating to iTunes 10.5, iOS 5, iTunes Match, and iCloud. iPod and iTunes Portable Genius is available now from Amazon and from the iBookstore; pricing varies by format.

6 Wunderkinder has released an iPhone app for Wunderkit, its new cloud-based project management service. Wunderkit is designed to help users organize their tasks and projects collaboratively with friends, family and colleagues by providing a social layer. The iPhone and iPod touch application supports all of the main features of the web app including the ability to create and organize workspaces for individual projects and areas of responsibility, create and edit notes and tasks and interact with friends by commenting on project updates. The iPhone app also allows users to invite their friends from Facebook and Twitter to collaborate on workspaces and provides a stream view collecting all status updates and recent activity in a single timeline for quick reference. Wunderkit requires iOS 4.0 or later and is available from the App Store as a free download.

Motorola Mobility has won a second patent ruling against Apple in Germany, even as the latter has been forced to remove some iPhone and iPad models from its online store thanks to the prior ruling. Bloomberg reports that the Mannheim Regional Court found that Apple infringed upon a Motorola patent used to synchronize email accounts with its iCloud service, a ruling that allows Motorola hold Apple liable for damage. “The court has come to the conclusion that the wording of the patent does cover functions that were at issue here,” said ruling Judge Andreas Voss. Apple “wasn’t able to convince the court that it isn’t infringing.” Apple spokesman Alan Hely said that “Apple believes this old pager patent is invalid and we’re appealing the court’s decision.”

In addition, Apple overnight removed some iPhone and iPad models from its online store in Germany in response to a ruling from December claiming that the products infringe upon a Motorola patent related to GPRS technology. Specifically, the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and all Wi-Fi models of the iPad are affected—according to BBC News—but not the iPhone 4S or Wi-Fi-only models of the iPad. “While some iPad and iPhone models are not available through Apple’s online store in Germany right now, customers should have no problem finding them at one of our retail stores or an authorized reseller,” Hely said. Apple has appealed the December ruling, arguing that Motorola refuses to license the industry standard patent on fair and reasonable terms.

Update: Apple has since been granted a suspension of the injunction against the iPhones and iPads mentioned previously. ”All iPad and iPhone models will be back on sale through Apple’s online store in Germany shortly” Apple told SlashGear in a statement. “Apple appealed this ruling because Motorola repeatedly refuses to license this patent to Apple on reasonable terms, despite having declared it an industry standard patent seven years ago.”

Pro media production software developer Avid has released Avid Studio, an advanced multimedia editing suite for the iPad. Avid Studio incorporates leading film-editing technology into an intuitive iOS app that allows users to quickly and easily edit video, audio and photos directly on their iPad. Users arrange their clips in the Storyboard view and can then move over to the Timeline view for making precision edits and adding professional transitions effects and a soundtrack. Video, audio and photos can be imported directly from the iOS media library or users can import content from external devices using the iPad Camera Connection Kit. Built-in tutorials are included to get users started quickly and a number of advanced features are available for enhancing video content such as multi-layer 3D animations, transitions and titles, layered composite video tracks, picture-in-picture effects and high-quality motion titles and graphics with full presentation and animation controls. The resulting movie can be uploaded directly to services such as YouTube and Facebook for sharing or can be exported to Avid Studio for the PC to continue with more advanced editing tools. Avid Studio requires an iPad running iOS 5.0 or later and is available from the App Store for $5.

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.