Evidence of iPad Retina Display?

Earlier today iLounge reported that, according to their source, a 7-inch iPad is in the works and that will be announced later this year. 9to5mac also speculated that they’ve been hearing rumors of a smaller tablet, equipped with a Retina Display - “something like an insane 1500x1920 type pixel display”.

Now, we’ve got some interesting findings to share and speculate with you.

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MiTube: Free and Simple Youtube Downloader for iPhone & iPad [Update: Removed]

Update: We knew this was going to happen. Apple removed the app.

Of all the apps in the App Store, I haven’t seen really great Youtube apps. Maybe because Apple’s one is installed by default and Youtube’s mobile website is even better than Apple’s app? Who knows. Anyway, here comes a new one: MiTube, formerly known as MxTube and sold on Cydia, is now available as a universal app for free in the App Store.

The app is very simple, but useful: you search for a video on Youtube, then you decided if you want to stream it or download it. You can choose to download low-quality or high-quality versions, and HD when available.

MiTube is available for free in the App Store here.

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European Union Commission Ousts BlackBerry in Favor of iPhone, HTC

Reuters reports that the European Union Commission have canned the idea of toting BlackBerries upon security concerns that governments can’t monitor the traffic: RIM deploys their own servers which handle encrypted messages that keep communications secured. The strongest selling point of the BlackBerry is starting to become a major problem.

British bank Standard Chartered said earlier this year it was giving its staff the option to replace the BlackBerry with the iPhone, a move that could eventually result in thousands of bankers switching.

And many top French government ministers have been issued specially encrypted smartphones after a French security agency recommended that cabinet ministers and President Nicolas Sarkozy stop using BlackBerries due to security concerns.

RIM’s Chief Technology Officer David Yach retorted that the importance of the BlackBerry via the use from state officials would keep their mobile phone in the hands of the government, though I imagine RIM is particularly beside themselves as corporations begin adopting and deploying other devices such as the iPhone.

[via Reuters]

iPhone 4 Droppin’ Less Calls, Pickin’ Up More Dates

The iPhone 4 survey pool is quite small: ChangeWave Research only managed to round up 213 willing participants, but they found iPhone 3GS owners managed to drop 6.3% of all calls, while only 5.2% calls were dropped on the iPhone 4. The survey also noted that 73% of those surveyed were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied at Apple’s response to the iPhone 4 criticism. 64% stated the iPhone’s antenna hasn’t been an issue in daily use. Though a similar survey conducted in August 2009 revealed that 89% of owners were more satisfied with their handset when compared to iPhone 4’s satisfaction rate, which is surprising considering the advancements via the Retina Display and iOS 4.

The end result: of this small test group, the iPhone 4 dropped less calls, which is guaranteed to salvage relationships (or make breaking up old ones easier) thanks to the better antenna.

[via AppleInsider]

iPad One Step Closer for Sale in China

Selling product in China must be like pulling teeth. Chinese regulators have given Apple’s miraculous tablet an a-okay via the China Compulsory Certification, which is a huge hurdle to surpass for companies who’d like to sell product there. Apple’s iPad will still have to pass the scrutiny of the Telecommunications Equipment and Certification Center, but if successful, Apple’s top tier device will likely deliver the same impact as it has in the rest of the world. Analysis International analyst Fang Li notes, “The Chinese market and the overseas markets are the same. People get excited about these new devices.” While Apple hasn’t publicly announced sales in China, it’s an important market as manufacturers begin to challenge the iPad with their own takes on tablet computing.

[Network World via 9 to 5 Mac]

BBC Testing iPad Internally

I think of Steve Ballmer every time these articles come out. Oh, the iPad can’t do any work! People struggle to take notes on the virtual keyboard! These aren’t direct quotes of course, but the big man in Redmond has to realize that the iPad is more than a tool for consumption. Another big player, BBC, is internally testing the iPad and its value to journalists, producers, and related support positions.

BBC CIO John Linwood provides an example, “If a support engineer gets called into a studio, it would be handy to have a device where you could look up circuit diagrams or software help files.” The idea is to see a reduction in the use of desktop machines. Linwood also notes the benefits and cost effectiveness of a paper free office:

“On the west coast of the US, paperless meeting are the norm. If you brought paper to a meeting, they’d look at you strangely. If you actually handed paper out, they’d get upset.”

The iPad isn’t the only device Linwood is interested in, but sure it makes for a good benchmark as industries decide on whether tablets are functional enough to do real work. Though I think you already know the answer to that one.

[ITP via 9 to 5 Mac]