Hidden iOS 4 Code Suggests Verizon iPhone and iPad 2 Being Field-Tested

By Federico Viticci

Interesting rumor Boy Genius Report has published today: according to one of their Apple sources, there’s a block of code buried deep down in iOS 4 which proves that both the CDMA iPhone and next iPad are about to hit the field test stage. The code makes sure that the device doesn’t need iTunes activation to work:

“Our source says that the code queries the device, and if the device is either a CDMA iPhone or iPad 2, the device will auto-activate, thus bypassing the need for iTunes. We’re told this block of code has appeared every year consecutively before a major iPhone / device release, removed right before launch.”

Another source also told BGR that the code name for the CDMA iPhone is N92AP, while John Gruber said it was N92. The next iPod Touch platform code should be N81AP.

January launch for the Verizon iPhone keeps sounding very likely to me. As for the iPad, the iPad-as-a-line idea (like MacBooks and iMacs, with different sizes, specs) is growing on me.

Slide Reader: A New Google Reader Experience for iPad

By Federico Viticci

What’s to be considered when reviewing a RSS app for the iPad today? The interface design? The features? The Flipboard-killer factor? Or maybe just how much the app is indeed meant for the iPad?

My point is, many apps are just bigger versions of stuff we’ve already seen on the iPhone last year. Some of them are cool and sold well at launch, but they can’t really hope to revolutionize a crowded market such as that of reading news. Then there are a few of them, made by those who took risks, that change the way we make technology fit in our daily lives.

Let’s take a step backwards and think about the iPad as a new device. Is it still possible to create a new app to read news on it? That’s what the Slide Reader developers are trying to achieve.

Wide Angle Brings Beautiful Photography to the iPad

By Federico Viticci

It’s no secret that the iPad is great at displaying pictures. I mean, it looks like a digital frame, right? And Apple even put a slideshow button right in the device lockscreen. For this reason photography applications are flourishing in the App Store, especially Flickr ones. Think about FlickStackr, Portfolio To Go, or the upcoming Rouse app by Robocat. Not to mention Flipboard’s feature to consume pictures from Boston.com and the like.

A few days ago I downloaded a new app called Wide Angle which allows you to view beautiful photos from The Big Picture and CBC Photo Galleries on your iPad.

The MacBook Air Project: Modder Puts Mac Under Apple Keyboard

By Federico Viticci

This is the reason why I love the modding community: they have no limits. Whether it’s about hardware or jailbreak / graphical modifications, modders always push themselves beyond the limitations and come up with exceptionals, custom creations.

Bart Reardon of The MacBook Air Project decided to try to fit a MacBook Air right under an Apple keyboard and make everything a single piece. Yes, a 1.6Ghz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM and 80GB hard drive computer inside a standard keyboard. He later thought of putting a Magic Trackpad next to the keyboard, too. He thinks that the device “will be used much beyond internet/email….maybe as an AppleTV replacement.”

Seriously, it’s awesome.

Apple Discussions To Be Renamed “Apple Support Communities”

By Federico Viticci

Last week discussions.apple.com was hit by an alleged malicious attack that forced some users to be redirected to a blank page showing a message from the “hacker” who managed to inject code in the website. Apple quickly took the boards down for mantenaince and, after that, announced that Apple Discussions will soon go under a major change and be renamed “Apple Support Communities”.

An Overheating iPod Delays Tokyo Commuter Train

By Federico Viticci

Sometimes timing is everything, and in this case it’s very bad for Apple. Last month, in fact, Apple was ordered by Japan’s trade ministry to improve safety warnings over some overheating first generation iPod Nano units that caused minor burn injures in four cases. Three days ago another overheating iPod delayed a rush-hour Tokyo train, Reuters reports.

Adobe to Apple: “Our doors are open”

By Federico Viticci

Finally, we’re back to talking about Adobe and Apple. Frankly, I was getting bored of writing about the antenna. Now, Shantanu Narayen (Adobe chief) is back in the game, and this time he’s saying that Adobe still wants Apple. They can still work together, if Steve Jobs wants to.

Times for iPad Winners Announced

By Federico Viticci

Thanks everyone who entered the Times for iPad giveaway. We also want to thank the Acrylic Software developers for the promo codes they offered to MacStories readers.

Here are the winners:

Daniel

Justin Heintz

Canfora

Francesco

Rajkumar

You’ll receive the promo codes in your inbox in a few minutes. Congratulations!

Win A Copy of TaskAware for iPhone

By Federico Viticci

TaskAware is an iPhone application we reviewed a while ago here which lets you tie your tasks to a specific location and organize them. It’s a got a good-looking UI and, most of all, looks great on the iPhone 4 Retina Display.

We have 3 US promo codes up for grabs. Just leave a comment below, and that’s it! Winners will be announced on Sunday - good luck!