Apple released the anticipated iPhone 4 in white. The specs are the same as the original, black iPhone 4, but the front and back are white, offering a different, clean look. Delays were attributed to a few problems in making the materials right for the white phone, and apparently there were some issues with light coming in through the white and adversely affecting the camera.

The HTC Thunderbolt has poor battery life. The included 1400 mAH battery isn’t what this phone needs. If you’re like me and you don’t like getting only 4 hours out of a battery, here’s the way to do it.

I just picked up a new HTC Thunderbolt phone. I’ve been using an original Droid (aka the Droid 1) since it came out in November of 2009. I’ve been holding out for a while, and after seeing the specs and demoing the Thunderbolt, I took the plunge. It’s not the perfect phone, but it has some amazing features and the 4G connection is F A S T!

From Toodledo, here’s what to expect:

Here is what is new:
✔ The “Alarm” field can now be reordered, enabled and disabled independently from the due-date field.
✔ It is now possible to set a default alarm for newly added tasks.
✔ It is now possible to turn on/off remote application badge updates independently from remote task alarms
✔ If you sync with Toodledo.com and have manually ordered your folders, that manual ordering will now be transfered to the app
✔ Fixed a bug with syncing that could have caused some data to sync incorrectly in this specific scenario: Delete a folder on the website, then edit a task that was previously in the deleted folder, then sync the iPhone.
✔ Improved accessibility for visually disabled customers who use the VoiceOver screen reader.
✔ Fixed a bug that caused a crash when a question mark was in the name of a tag.

As often with news bits, there may be more questions than answers with Rio and the announcement that Amazon will have an exclusive.  Does this mean the iOS version will not happen?  Unlikely.  Does this mean that Amazon will have an indefinite exclusive?  Also unlikely but that would have meant that Amazon would have spent a great deal of money to get it.  Smart move by Amazon.

I downloaded this app twice and removed it twice already.  Now however, I am using it regularly.  I didn’t quite “get it” before I guess, but now that their API is open, other apps like Momento (the ultra cool, social diary app) is able to catch your Instagram uploads and more.  Not familiar with Instagram?  It’s a social photo sharing site where you can make little adjustments to the photo like cropping, B&W and other effects.  However, it is really about the photo.  Our sister site is ProPhoto Coaliiton so we’re keen on photography here!

Instagram on iTunes

Momento on iTunes

Rovio is making money hand over fist these days with their Angry Bird franchise taking off on all iOS and Android.  The VC community has taken notice as well.  While the company is already printing money on sales and ad revenue generated off the Android version, they can now add another cool $42 million to develop the next cool game. 

I use Instapaper daily.  I’ve tried Read It later, prefer the UI actually, but find I use an Android device often.  While there was a “Save to Instapaper” app in the Android Marketplace, there still is not a trued app.

So, I’m moving to Read It later.  The idea behind both products is really great.  You’re reading an article online and decide you’d like to read it later.  You save to Read It Later by simply clicking a URL you’ve set up.  I won’t bore you with the simple set up details, you can find those here.  What’s great however is that many apps I currently spend a great deal of time with work well with Read It Later.  For instance, if you’re Pulse Reader (my preferred RSS reader), you can save to Instapaper, Read It Later, etc.

One of our favorite games (along with everyone else apparently), Angry Birds is expecting an update to their Seasons app.  Here’s the iTunes link, and there’s a trailer after the jump…

Hit software update to join in on the fun.  we’re guessing there’s some changes that affect the iPad 2 in there some where…

By Simply texting Go to “70845” you cna get your hands on the Torch version of the Starbucks app.  Let the texting and coffee purchasing begin!

via {Starbucks}

According to the Foursquare blog, new versions of Foursquare should be coming live soon.  Both will hit version 3.0 and bring with them a new opportunity to “Explore”, with an Explore tab.  Basically you’re getting recommendations based on what’s around and what your friends have visited.  Smart in our opinion.

According to Crowly: “You’ll see that we’ve replaced our old leader board (and its simple points system and Sunday night reset) with a sliding 7-day barometer of you and your friends”. “Check-ins now trigger points for dozens of different types of actions.” Loyalty will be addressed by offering merchants additional ways to reward “swarms, groups of friends, regulars, newbies, or everyone.” Before finishing hit thoughts, Crowley writes, “we’ve got really ambitious plans for the rest of the year and we’re excited to let you play with three big new pieces of the master plan.” Also of note is that an updated BlackBerry client is due out later this week — though it will not include many 3.0′s features — and that it is “working hard” on its Windows Phone and Symbian apps.

via {BGR.com}

The update will be available for US and Europe and will require you to do nothing to activate the rerouting.  Which of course begs the question…will we be able to disable it?  Sounds silly but when everyone is rerouted, the new route loses it’s value doesn’t it?

Sure not everyone uses Google.  No kidding.  But my point is that I may not want to be rerouted.  Here’s the scoop directly from Google.

Android already has some good speech input options. The fact that you can send texts or do Google and Google Map searches via text is great. There’s a free app, called “Edwin”, that extends your voice controls even further and makes the phone even more useful.

Dear Google,

I love the Android, after using my Droid for over a year, I’ve found it incredibly useful. However, there are some gaping holes that I can’t believe you’ve overlooked. And I’m not the only one, I’ve spent plenty of time on forums to find that I’m not a unique little snowflake in my frustration over these things.

I really couldn’t wait for the Verizon iPhone.  I tried to justify myself not spending any more money on any new Apple product, but the stars aligned.  My current contract with Verizon was set to expire, and my wife wanted my AT&T iPhone as she’s never had an iPhone before. (Gasp!)

While it’s near identical to the previous version, I had to immediately check out tethering.  You’d think there’d be a button, or something easy to find.  It’s not easy, it’s hidden in preferences, under > General > Network.  Yes it works just fine.  What didn’t really work for me however, was Google Voice.  I tried and tried to forward my voicemail to Google Voice, but I keep getting the Verizon operator telling me my call cannot be completed.  Strange.

From the “It’s about time file”, Garmin finally hits the iPhone.  It hits it hard too.  Priced at $39.99, it undercuts it’s biggest rival, TOMTOM in price.

We just purchased it and will be giving it the rounds….  Download

According to Citibank, 2011 is expected to maintain Apple dominance in the App market space.  In the next 4 years, they expect the total app marketplace to grow to $27 billion!

Smartphone sales grew in 2010 by 56%

via [BGR]

Apple’s App Store has been a driving force behind the revitalized app economy ever since it first launched. According to Citibank, the App Store’s dominance won’t be slowing down anytime soon. In its U.S. Internet Stock 2011 Playbook, Citibank estimates that Apple will pull in up to $2 billion in gross revenue next year via the App Store. And if research firm Gartner’s forecasts are accurate, that number could be low. Gartner believes the global app market in 2010 totaled $4 billion, and that revenues will climb to a staggering $27 billion over the next two years. The growing popularity of smartphones is obviously seen as a major contributing factor to the exploding app market. According to Citibank, smartphone sales grew 53% in 2010 — though growth is expected to slow in 2011 to 29%.

What to expect tomorrow?  A Verizon iPhone announcement?  Hardly.

Set to go live before the end of the year, Verizon is set to announce LTE (4G) will cover 38 major areas and more than 10 million people.  Cool Huh?  But wait, you will need to wait until 2011 (Q1) to get an LTE-equipped handset.

Now we’re ready for the iPhone?

Dear Microsoft,

You’ve invested a crazy amount of money, time effort and more to get Windows Phone 7 to launch.  I have to say, I received my phone last night and I am really pleased.  Sure there’s not enough apps yet, but I assume they’re coming.  What is here is very, very well done.  Kudos. 

In lieu of hiring me (unless you really, really want to), and in lieu of sending me loads of cash for this remarkable idea.  How about to simply help support this site with Windows Phone 7 ads like every other site on the planet?  Sure we’re new and from out of nowhere, but we have a simple suggestion that would increase your brand awareness a thousand-fold.

Got your attention yet?

We’re assuming this new announcement will time nicely with the release of Gingerbread, the new OS update.  We’re hearing we can expect, Mature, Pre-teen, Teen, and “All”.  We like this move - a lot.

While the reviews on the HD7 are somewhat a mixed bag, favoring the positive, I’d still kind of prefer to see the Dell Venue Pro before I lay out cash.  However….. Buy one get one free is a nice deal if you need to grab more than one phone this Black Friday.  Makes for a nice gift come the holidays!

iOS update brings multitasking to the iPad,  For those that have both the iPhone and iPad, this is a welcome release about to hit.

Once I got my hands on the iPhone update a while back, the iPad seemed clumsy to me.  Multitasking is a necessity to me.  While I’ve heard others claim they don’t need it, my ADD brain needs it like caffiene.

If you’re a fan of Orbitz travel, there’s more to like.  You can book flights, rent cars, view travel itineraries, make hotel reservations, and more.  Need to make last-minute changes or bookings…you can.

Mobile Orbitz also offer the same Price Assurance protection for flights and prepaid hotel bookings as desktop customers!.  Not too shabby.

Description:
Only Orbitz lets you quickly search and book flights, hotels and rental cars—all within the Orbitz app for iPhone®. You can also view your trips, check flight status and find hotels near your current location using your phone’s GPS. Download the Orbitz app for free and get the power of Orbitz optimized for your iPhone today. Matched with the speed and simplicity of the iPhone, our new app offers all the benefits and power of traveling with Orbitz, including a simple, secure booking process, and Price Assurance protection for flights and prepaid hotels. With the Orbitz app for iPhone, you can: Make reservations for flights, hotels and rental cars quickly—even for same-day reservations. Just like our site, you can search and book: - Hotels, including photos, guest reviews and maps. You can also search for hotels near you using your phone’s GPS and book the very same day you plan to stay. - Flights, sorting by lowest price or departure time—whatever is most important to you. - Rental cars, even booking as little as 30 minutes before pick-up. View your trip itineraries anytime, anywhere… fast: - Our app will remember log-ins for quick access to your itineraries. - No need for printouts. Trip details can be stored locally so you can access them when you don’t have an Internet connection, such as during your flight. Stay in the know, on the go: - Check flight status, gate and baggage claim. Great if you’re traveling or picking up a traveler. Click to call for assistance: - Whether you need immediate assistance while traveling or booking a trip, connect to our trained agents in just one tap. They’re standing by 24/7.

We joke because we care…But seriously, my signal, with the cell booster in my home, still stinks.  Perhaps the Bay Area is the remaining 20%?

According to the techies - HSPDA+ is supposed to be approx. 250% faster than plain run-of-the-mill HSPDA.  Perhaps that’s the issue for me, those that have signal now have faster signal.  Those that have crappy signal, just have faster crappy signal.

We joke because we care…But seriously, my signal, with the cell booster in my home, still stinks.  Perhaps the Bay Area is the remaining 20%?

According to the techies - HSPDA+ is supposed to be approx. 250% faster than plain run-of-the-mill HSPDA.  Perhaps that’s the issue for me, those that have signal now have faster signal.  Those that have crappy signal, just have faster crappy signal.

The company also notes that they are working to introduce these features on Android and Windows Phone.