The App Shelf for iPhone and iPod touch

According to Gizmodo, they've had the fortune of stumbling across Apple's misfortune--a lost iPhone 4 prototype.  Gizmodo seems convinced that this is the real deal.  In fact, the article claims that Apple itself has admitted to losing the prototype and wants it back.  

While the software remains inactive (Apple remotely killed the phone), Gizmodo was able to discern the following about the device's hardware:

• Thinner, sleeker design
• Front facing camera
• Flash camera on back
• Much higher resolution screen
• Noise cancelation microphone
• slightly heavier
• Larger battery (they opened the device)
• Split, metallic volume buttons

Here's a video sneak peak of the new device:

For full details, check out the Gizmodo coverage.

This week's shelf features some great apps for both iPhone and iPad. What the shelf doesn't point out, however, is that some of the non-universal iPad apps are also available in iPhone specific versions:

Warpgate (iPhone) -- $4.99
Cocoto Kart Online (iPhone) -- $2.99 // Lite
Diner Dash - the original (iPhone) -- $0.99 // Lite

It seemed impossible to surf the web, read the news, or watch TV this weekend without hearing about the Apple iPad.  While many individuals reserved devices for pickup at Apple Retail Store, others found themselves waiting in long lines for the slim chance to get their hands on the device.  Falling into the latter category, I had the wonderful opportunity of camping outside of a Best Buy for 10 hours to snag one of the 15 in-stock units for the site.

After nearly 48 hours of sleeplessness, the good news is that TheAppShelf.com will provide detailed coverage all things iPad, along with its continuing iPhone and iPod Touch coverage.

In the following weeks you can expect to find iPad app reviews and detailed write-ups of the new iPad that will attempt to define the nature of the device that Steve Jobs claims will fill the gap between Smartphone and laptop.  Whether you’re onboard with Apple’s latest invention or think it’s a sinking ship, we hope you’ll enjoy the journey!

It looks like the iPad is going to be bringing a slew of all new apps and content for Apple fans to drool over.  AppShopper.com is starting to see dozens of new apps populate its iPad section.  Just like the App Store, AppShopper showcases developer screenshots of the apps, and the content is looking spectacular.

The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, and Associated Press have all already launched their new iPad-specifc apps and they look stunning.  As confirmed by Mac Rumors, a particularly interesting tidbit for Netflix subscribers is that Netflix appears to have launched a streaming video, “instant” view app.

It looks like there will be quite a bit of new and interesting content to move iPad in a direction that iPhone and iPod Touch haven’t yet managed to fill, including an ABC.com “full episode player,” some very impressive looking HD games, and some surprisingly useful utilities (especially for musicians).   Unfortunately, we have yet to see that elusive Hulu app.  If you want to keep an eye on the apps yourself, check out the iPad section at AppShopper.com.

Everybody's waiting to get their hands on the new Apple tablet dubbed the iPad.  While the public might have to wait about 60 days for the chance to touch, pinch, and swipe, a lucky select few got their chance to play yesterday at Apple's live media event.  While we might not be among the promised few, we still think it's worth sharing some hands-on video courtesy of Engadget.

To help kick off our Holiday Challenge Blitz, we’ve decided to extend the Quest of Knights Onrush App Challenge for an additional week until Monday, Nov. 23!

For details on how to enter for your chance to win a $10 iTunes gift Certificate, check out the full info.

We'll choose one winner for each week! (Non-winning entries will automatically carry over to the extended week)

Distinctive Development’s addition to Heli Rescue, entitled “Episode 2: Mountain Mayhem,” arrived as free downloadable update this morning. 

The app previously received a strong review from our team, and has now added a number of great additions and improvements including 2 new maps, a new type of helicopter, and the introduction of “no fly zones.”

The full list of additions and improvements include:
•    Two new maps
•    New very fast 'blackwolf' helicopter
•    No fly zones introduced
•    Improved visibility of people
•    Improved visibility of people marker
•    A number of improvements to make drawing paths more intuitive.
•    Change sound effects to be less annoying!
•    Improve stereo panning to be smoother for sounds
•    Added 'Game Over' message explaining why game ended
•    Additional bug fixes

From the time I’ve spent with the update, I’ve definitely noticed the improvements, and the new maps add some extra challenge.  The sounds, though improved, still venture on the side of annoying.  Overall, Heli Rescue is a great way to kill some time and save some lives.

Heli Rescue $0.99

To celebrate its addition to the Plus+ network, Ngmoco's award winning app, Topple 2, is now free on the App Store.  While it appears this might be a permanent price drop, anyone interested should download this full featured app ASAP and not take the chance.

Topple 2 is a fun and enjoyable iPhone OS specific stacking and balancing game with a sense of humor; for those not familiar, it's definitely worth the download.

App: Alive 4-ever
Dates: Tues., Sept, 29 – Mon., Oct. 5 Mon., Oct. 12
Challenge: Complete “Challenge Objective” of stage 14
Prize: $10 iTunes Gift Certificate

Welcome to our first weekly app challenge (with many planned) where you can win a $10 iTunes gift certificate! This week’s challenge deals with the recent Top Ten app, Alive 4-ever.

To enter the challenge, complete the requirements detailed below and send a screenshot of your achievement to .  Next week, a winner will be randomly drawn from all qualifying entries and notified via email.

THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE:  Successfully complete the “Challenge Objective” in Stage 14 of Alive 4-ever.  To complete the “Challenge Objective” you must return 3 vaccines to the rescue zone without ever setting them down in between transport.

Once you’ve completed the “Challenge Objective,” remember to take screenshot of your achievement and email us as proof (This can be done by pressing the Home button while simultaneously holding down the lock button).

The screenshot should look something like this:

In a nutshell:
• Complete the Challenge Objective for stage 14 of Alive 4-ever
• Take a screenshot of the completion screen as proof
• Email the screenshot along with your name to
• The winner will be announced the following week

BONUS: This week only, become a fan of TheAppShelf.com on Facebook and be entered for a chance to win a second $10 iTunes Gift Certificate!

Click this link to view our full sweepstakes rules.

Objective: Become a fan of TheAppShelf.com on Facebook
Contest Dates: Tues., Sept, 29 – Mon., Oct. 5
Prize: $10 iTunes Gift Certificate

Welcome to our first site contest (with many planned) where you can win a $10 iTunes gift certificate!  To enter this contest, all you need to do is become a fan of TheAppShelf.com on Facebook!

Become a fan of TheAppShelf.com on Facebook by Monday, October 5 and you’ll automatically be entered in a random drawing to win a $10 iTunes Gift Certificate.

BONUS: Don’t forget to check out this week’s Weekly App Challenge for another chance to win a $10 iTunes gift certificate.

Click this link to view our full sweepstakes rules.