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What you’ll pay for an iPhone 4 on Rogers/Fido, more to come!

International carriers are finally starting to release their iPhone 4 plans and rates, and as more countries now have multiple providers and unlocked iPhones, does that mean things will be more competitive than ever?

Nope. You say monopoly, I say oligopoly, they’ll still take every penny they can.

We’ll post them as we find them, and if you’ve come across the plans and rates in your area, drop them in the comments and we’ll add them here.

Canada, Rogers/Fido

Rogers/Fido has just put up a post detailing upgrade costs, along with a tool to find out what you’re eligible for. In addition, they’re once again offering a special $30/6GB data plan for a limited time, and are also adding a $20 option to share your iPhone 4 data with your iPad.

Now I’m no math wiz but I do know $20 for sharing data compared to $30 for doubling it doesn’t sound like a great deal… yet. Let’s hope Rogers improves on that asap.

[Rogers]

International iPhone 4 carrier plans and rates is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

As you all know by now, we’re still watching for iOS4 updates that crop up in the app store, and as always, if you guys see interesting ones, feel free to let us know.  Here’s the ones we found in the last week or so, and if you haven’t checked for updates, go check that update tab and let us know if you caught something we didn’t!

Osfoora

Osfoora has taken the place as my favorite Twitter client (for now anyways). They received an iOS4 update we covered a few weeks back, but this one is even better. It adds full retina display support for the iPhone 4 and boy is it pretty. The whole app got somewhat of a facelift as well. The text really pops and the main menus have been revamped. So if you haven’t updated, go for it, or if you are looking for a Twitter client, Osfoora is definitely one of the best around.

[iTunes Link]

Agendus

Agendus is basically an all-in-one app for all the important information on your phone. It basically intertwines your contacts, calendars, and apps into one native app. If you’ve always wanted something that would do this, Agendus is more than decent. The new version adds iOS4 support as well as a new high res icon.

[iTunes Link]

Reeder

Reeder is one of my favorite RSS clients. If you don’t have one and want a full featured one with Google Reader integration, there’s a good chance Reeder will do what you need it to, and then some. This update adds support for the iPhone 4 retina display. The icon just looks so fancy on my homescreen now, as well as all my articles being incredibly sharp. Good job on this one guys, it’s an awesome update.

[iTunes Link]

AT&T MyWireless

AT&T just pushed through an update to their MyWireless app that adds retina support for the iPhone 4. This app basically allows you to view usage, manage features, and even pay your bill via the app. I’ve been using it to pay my bill for quite a while now. Pretty convenient. If you’re an AT&T customer, go ahead and pick it up, it’s free.

[iTunes Link]

Pano

Pano is an awesome app to stitch together pics on the go. It’ll save them directly in your camera roll. The interface is dead easy to use and once you snap a pic it’ll give you guides to line up your next shot with the previous one. This update fixed several bugs and crashes. Mine was continuously crashing under iOS4 but it doesn’t anymore. If you guys noticed anything different than iOS4 compatibility in this one, let us know!

[iTunes Link]

iOS4 Updated Apps: Osfoora, Agendus, Reeder, AT&T MyWireless, Pano, is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

This time we’re looking at the invisibleSHIELD full body for iPad which offers both top-side glass and bottom-side aluminum film protection. If you worry just as much about scratches on the back of your precious iPad as you do the front, full body is something to consider.

This is how I installed it.

1. Clean my iPad screen thoroughly (I use iKlenz)
2. Apply the liquid to my fingers
3. Peel off the screen film and apply liquid to the back
4. Place the skin carefully on my iPad
5. Squeegee out excess liquid, carefully blotting to keep it away from water sensors
6. Press out any remaining bubbles
7. Turn it over
8. Repeat the same procedure but the curved back can be tricky so go slowly and restart if you have to.

I use a big squeegee for the initial pass, the supplied smaller one for the details. I also made sure to put my iPad on a non-slip mat first so I don’t have to chase it around the table. (Basically what I did for the iPhone screen protector how-to, a little more conservative than Dieter’s approach).

We’ll be testing the invisibleSHIELD full body for iPad out for durability in the very near future, as well as comparing it some other films on the market. If you have any tips for applying them, or any questions about them, let me know in comments.

If you want to pick up a invisibleSHIELD full body for iPad, check out the TiPb iPad accessory store.

How to apply invisibleSHIELD full body to your iPad [Sponsored] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

TiPb international, are you getting ready to stand in line for the iPhone 4? Apple’s set to launch in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland on July 30, which for some readers is only a few hours away…

Here’s what you need to know:

iPhone 4 will be available from Apple Retail Stores, carrier stores, and carrier resellers (from the big boxes to the franchises). We’ve heard some store are opening at the stroke of midnight, others at 7am, others only at regular hours. Be sure to check with the store you’re going to so you aren’t surprised. (If it’s in a mall, check what time the mall opens as well.)

Carrier plans, hardware upgrade pricing, and what-not is, as usual, sparse so be prepared for last minute announcements, customer service reps who haven’t yet been told about them, and carrier computer systems crashing often and hard. In other words, be prepared to be patient and persistent.

iPhone 4 requires a MicroSIM, so you might want to swing by your carrier early, get one, and have it activated on your line — if they’ll let you — now before things get hectic later.

Many countries will also have iPhone 4 available SIM-free and unlocked so if you’re willing to pay the ~$650 to ~$750 unsubsidized price you can just buy one and go. Given previous years where early upgrades were $100 off for a 1 year contract extension, it’s something to think about.

Let us know where you are and what the line’s like, and add your photos to our forum gallery, and if you’re already camping out — good night and good luck!

Pics

Marc Edwards from Bjango in Australia, Doncaster shopping center

Standing in line for iPhone 4 international launch? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Amazon’s new Kindle comes in a smaller, darker package and they’re positioning it to compete with Apple’s iPad (which can also read Kindle books) on price ($139 for Wi-Fi $189 for 3G) and a laser-like focus on reading.

• All-New, High-Contrast E-Ink Screen – 50% better contrast than any other e-reader
• Read in Bright Sunlight – No glare
• New and Improved Fonts – New crisper, darker fonts
• New Sleek Design – 21% smaller body while keeping the same 6″ size reading area
• 17% Lighter – Only 8.5 ounces, weighs less than a paperback
• Battery Life of Up to One Month – A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off
• Double the Storage – Up to 3,500 Books
• Built-In Wi-Fi – Shop and download books in less than 60 seconds
• 20% Faster Page Turns – Seamless reading
• Enhanced PDF Reader – With dictionary lookup, notes, and highlights
• New WebKit-Based Browser – Browse the web over Wi-Fi (experimental)

Much smarter than simply trying to re-brand it as KindlePad…

[Amazon]

Amazon’s new Kindle competes with iPad on price, focus is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Apple’s newly renamed iOS Developer News feed has released two notes today, one on exciting new features in iTunes connect, and the other announcing iAd for Developers — a great way to promote apps, in apps.

iTunes connect is gaining the following:

• Using the new Version Release Control to choose when your new app version goes live on the App Store;
• Delivering binaries using Application Loader;
• New states for your app including Prepare for Upload, Pending Developer Release, and Processing for App Store;
• UI Enhancements that indicate when you can edit your app information;
• Game Center functionality for the setup of Achievements and Leaderboard Categories for sandbox testing purposes.

You’ll find the iTunes Connect Developer Guide available for download on the homepage of iTunes Connect.

And for developers who want to get a little more attention for their apps:

The new iAd for Developers program is a great way for you to advertise your own apps to millions of users across the iAd Network. When a user taps on an ad for your app, they can download it from the App Store without leaving the app they’re in.

It’s easy to get started. Learn more about how you can drive more customers to your app with iAd for Developers.

Any devs out there liking either or both of these updates?

[iOS Developer News]

Apple announces new iTunes Connect features, iAd for developers is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

BlackBerry maker RIM has registered BlackPad.com. No, I’m not making that up.

Research In Motion has recently taken over the domain name “BlackPad.com”. Now, despite what you think of the name itself, many folks are eluding to the fact that this URL could be one of many used for the rumored upcoming BlackBerry Tablet. Now while we here would like to believe that as well, the fact is Research In Motion owns over 4,000+ registered domain names already.

Phew. But so help me if this time next year we have iPad, PalmPad, and BlackPad — someone’s getting punched in the marketing department.

[MobileCrunch via CrackBerry.com]

Blackberry maker RIM registers BlackPad.com is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

TiPb iPhone Forum user shaolinfinest let us know last night, and many others have since confirmed, that Best Buy was starting to give away InvisibleShielf protective side films for iPhone 4:

I’m not sure if this has been discussed but Best Buy is starting to receive Zagg kits called “iPhone 4fix” or something like that. Basically Zagg sent us a bunch of invisishield sides to put on customers iPhone 4’s and they are free. The only disclaimer on the kit is that it says shield and install is free but install is up to the associate if they want to put it on or not. Before going in, call your local Best Buy if you are like me and don’t want to put a case on it. I installed the sides today and it was easy to put on and feels ok so far.

Whether or not InvisibleShield provides any protection from signal loss if you’re prone to such things in your area is debatable, but it’s interesting to see how other retailers are competing with Apple’s free bumper program.

Speaking of which, the TiPb iPhone 4 store has the full on front-and-back-protecting InvisibleShield and BodyGuardz in stock, and the Case-Mate Clear Armor available for pre-order. Just don’t use as much liquid to apply it as Dieter did…

We’ve also started to hear that folks are receiving their free Apple bumpers, in some cases a month or more ahead of the previously suggested delivery date. Those who asked for 3rd party cases instead haven’t had any such luck so far.

Of course, Apple’s free bumpers are pretty much restricted to black, and the TiPb iPhone 4 store has more cases in more colors than you can shake a gyro at, so check out Leanna going red, or pick out a color all your own.

See Apple and Best Buy, you don’t get to have all the fun!

[Okay, that was snarky enough to earn a "sponsored" tag]

Apple bumpers arriving, Best Buy giving away free side film for iPhone 4 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

You know the drill, come 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am BST, we’ll be taking over the front page of http://www.tipb.com to talk everything iPhone…

…and Android Central’s Phil Nickinson will be joining us to talk about Apple’s little Droid X antennagate video. Fun. Fun.

Be here, and be ready to chat. We want to hear from you.

iPhone live tonight, 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am BST is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog