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.

If you've already found yourself dazzled by the elegance of the new Apple iPad, here are a few tricks to make the experience even better.

Trick #1: The 6-App Dock

Just like the iPhone and iPod Touch, the iPad only allows four apps in the dock, right?  Wrong.  Despite its appearance out of the box, Apple lets iPad make use of the extra on-screen dock space.  Users can drag two extra apps into the dock for a total of six. 

For those of you new to the device, you can move around your by simply touching and holding an app icon 2 seconds.  Your apps will start to jiggle and are now free to be rearranged as you please!

Trick #2: Safari Bookmark Bar

If you use your iPad for fast and frequent web browsing, you'll love this trick.  Safari Mobile has the option to add a bookmark bar just below the toolbar, just like on the desktop version.  To turn it on, tap System Preferences, Safari, and toggle "Always Show Bookmarks Bar. "  Next go back to Safari and save bookmarks of your most frequently traveled sites to the "Bookmarks Bar" folder.  Now all your favorite sites are just a single tap away! 

Trick #3: Night Viewing

If you've ever used iPad in the dark, either viewing websites or reading in iBooks, you've probably already learned that even on its dimmest setting, the iPad is incredibly bright.  Trying to read a webpage in bed can illuminate half the room and wake up even a heavy sleeper.

If you find yourself in this situation, try this trick:  Open your iPad System Preferences, select "General," "Accessibility," "Triple Click Home Button," and finally, "White on Black."  Originally meant for users experiencing difficulty viewing the iPad's screen, this feature will invert the colors on your screen when you triple click the Home Button, making all your white backgrounds black and text white.  This drastically reduces the illumination given off by the screen and makes reading iBooks, digital newspapers, magazines, and even websites easier on the eyes and less obtrusive to those around you.  When you're done, just triple click the Home Button again, and return to normal viewing mode.  Awesome!

iBooks App

Safari Mobile Website: Mashable.com

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.

Not surprisingly, many players of the Grand Theft Auto series enjoy using cheat codes to gain access to otherwise difficult to acquire weapons, cars, and bonuses.  Since the release of the iPhone app version, which uses a virtual control system much different than the DS or PSP version, players have speculated on the inclusion of cheat codes.  Thanks to Touch Arcade forum members GTA: Chinatown Wars cheat codes are staring to be revealed.  The cheats and method of entry are listed below.

To enter the cheats, visit any cheat house, scroll the screen to the side to find the magnet aboard and arrange the letters to make any of the following combinations.  When the cheat is successfully entered, you’ll hear a beep, the letters will slide back to their original position, and the name of the cheat will flash at the bottom of the screen.

Weapon Arsenal Cheats:

LOADOA – Grenade, nightstick, pistol, minigun, assault rifle, micro SMG, and stubby shotgun.
LOADOB – Molotov, tazer, dual pistols, flamethrower, carbine, SMG, and dual-barrel shotgun.
LOADOC – Mine, chainsaw, revolver, flamethrower, carbine, SMG, and dual-barrel shotgun.
LOADOD – Flashbang, bat, pistol, RPG, carbine, micro SMB and stubby shotgun.

Power-ups & Bonuses:

CASHIN – Grants $10,000 extra cash.
LIFEUP – Refills your life to full.
SHELLY – Refills your armor to full.
TRIPPY – Unknown
COPIN – Raises your wanted level by 1 star.
COPOUT – Lowers your wanted level by 1 star.

For the FACEBOOK or iPhone App!

App: Bejeweled 2 (iPhone) & Bejeweled Blitz (facebook)
Dates: Tues., Nov. 17 – Mon., Nov. 23
Challenge: Earn a score of 100,000 or higher in Bejeweled Blitz
Prize: $10 iTunes Gift Certificate

To enter:
• Earn a score of 100,000 or higher in Bejeweled Blitz
• Take a screenshot as proof (see below for the how to)
• Email the screenshot along with your name to
• The winner will be notified via email the following week

To take a screenshot on your iPhone or iPod Touch: Press and hold the lock button (on top of the device) and then press the Home button while continuing to hold the lock button.  Your screen will flash and a screenshot will be saved to your photo library.

To take a screen shot on your Mac: Simultaneously press Shift + Command + 3  (On older macs: Shift + Apple +3)

To take a screen shot on a PC: Checkout this web guide: http://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Screenshot-in-Microsoft-Windows

The screenshot should look something like this:

(Screenshots from facebook app may look a little different. Be sure they include name and score)

Feel free to discuss strategy in the comments section below!

Click this link to view our full sweepstakes rules.

App: MASH
Dates: Tues., Nov. 17 – Mon., Nov. 23
Challenge: End up in a “Mansion”
Prize: $10 iTunes Gift Certificate

To enter:
• Play MASH until you “live in a Mansion.”
• Take a screenshot as proof (see below for the how to guide)
• Email the screenshot along with your name to
• The winner will be notified via email the following week

To take a screenshot on your device: Press and hold the lock button (on top of the device) and then press the Home button while continuing to hold the lock button.  Your screen will flash and a screenshot will be saved to your photo library.

The screenshot should look something like this:



Feel free to discuss strategy in the comments section below!

Click this link to view our full sweepstakes rules.

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)