If you don’t like the mostly drab black and bumpers and cases Apple is giving away, the Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 is a great way to add a little color and fun for under $10. It isn’t anything fancy — you can’t throw your phone into a wall and expect it not to break (I would never try that anyways) — but when it comes down to a nice colorful case without shelling out over $30, this is it.

Read on for more detail!

The overall appearance of the Talon Hard Case is pretty slick. It’s clean and simple. It doesn’t stick to the inside of your pocket or add too much bulk to your phone. But on the flip side, since it doesn’t have much grip, it may make you more susceptible to drop your phone or for it to simply slip out of your hand. Mine almost did at work the other day. This is where a compromise between silicon and hard cases are nice. They add grip but not enough to where you have to have someone help you rip your phone from the inside of your pocket.

Another nice thing about the Talon Hard Case is the fact that it comes completely around the top of the phone (refer to pictures). I like this because if you set your phone face down, or Steve Jobs forbid it, drop your phone face down, it’s less likely you’ll do damage. Just setting it down, you’ll be just fine.  This case also allows easy access to all ports and controls on the phone without a fuss, which is nice.  I know some cases are a little too thick or narrow and I’ve had a few where when I’d go to charge my phone, the charger would fall out easily because it wouldn’t go in all the way.  This isn’t the case with the Talon, the charger fits in the port nicely.

The only thing I’ve noticed about this case that I really don’t care for is how difficult it is to pull it off. The easiest way I’ve found was to put wedge a fingernail in between the top left corner of the case, once you get that loose, work your finger carefully to the right on the top of the phone, then you should be able to pull it off. I always have a tendency to do this over a bed or soft surface so if your phone comes flying out of the case, you don’t damage it. I made the mistake of removing a Speck hard shell case over our granite kitchen floor once. I was extremely lucky my trusty 3GS sustained no damage when it tumbled from the case, but I can’t say the same about my heart, as I’m pretty sure it stopped for a brief second.

Overall, if you’re waiting for the perfect case, or just can’t decide where to put your money at but want something to put your mind at ease, it’s a $10 bill well spent. Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 are available in 3 colors (based on stock and availability of course); pink, blue, black, and purple and you can pick them up now in the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store.

If you’ve already picked this up, let us know your thoughts as well!

(As a side note, a day after writing this, I dropped my iPhone 4, with my Talon Hard Shell case on it. Not on carpet my friends, but on a granite kitchen floor.  I was attempting to let both the dogs out, had the little one in my hands while trying to grab the big dog’s collar, all while opening the door.  Well the iPhone 4 got dropped.  It made a pretty loud smash on the floor. I was terrified to take the case off.  Well, once I worked up the courage, I was pleased to see there was not even the tiniest blemish on my phone.  For $10, that’s a deal!)

Pros

• Creates an edge around the screen to protect the screen from damage
• Cheap — under $10!
• Comes in several colors
• Stays on well and doesn’t lose form
• Doesn’t add bulk and fits in a pocket easily
• Easy access to all ports and controls on the phone

Cons

• Unusually hard to get back off the phone
• A little “too” slippery, a little grip would have been nice

Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 – accessory review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

The iLuv Flexi-Clear iPad Case not only adds no bulk to your iPad, it adds tons of protection as well. It comes in a couple different colors and gives you the peace of mind of knowing that if you set your iPad on a surface face up or face down, the screen nor the back will not obtain any damage.

I’ve always been particularly fond of silicon skins and cases for iPad and iPhone. The iLuv Flexi-Clear iPad case exceeded my expectations. The first thing I look for with silicon cases is whether or not they collect lint or dust. If a case does, I probably won’t use it. This is probably a bigger issue with the iPhone as they normally end up in pockets, but iPads end up in bags, so to me, it’s equally as important. This particular skin doesn’t seem to collect any dust or lint.

The next thing I typically look at is whether or not the skin stretches over time while using it. I’ve picked up a couple cases in the past that seem really nice but after a couple weeks, they lose their form. The bad part about this is, you typically won’t know unless you use the case pretty extensively. Most places offer a 30 day return period and I’ve always found that to be enough to know whether or not a case is going to stretch out. If it does, I typically return it.

I was extremely happy with the fit of the iLuv case. It didn’t stretch at all and stayed incredibly form-fitting. I will stick it in another case and throw it in my bag. The skin provides even more protection for the iPad than a standard case alone, and also provides some grip. If you’re looking for a nice silicon case to add to your iPad accessory collection, check out the iLuv Flexi-Clear iPad case in the TiPb iPad Accessory Store.

Pros

• Doesn’t collect lint or dust

• Maintains its shape and doesn’t get loose

• Wraps around the front edges so placing the screen face down on a surface protects the screen

• Provides firm grip on most surfaces and inside other cases

Cons

• Doesn’t provide protection for the screen outside of placing it face down

• Will need another case to put inside a bag in order to protect screen

iLuv Flexi-Clear iPad case review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Apple has sent out a note to developers regarding an App Store volume purchase program that allows educational institutions to make bulk purchases at a 50% discount.

We’re pleased to announce the App Store Volume Purchase Program. Education institutions in the United States now have a new way to purchase your apps in volume for distribution to their students and faculty. You can also elect to offer special education pricing on your app when purchased in volume.

Read more about the App Store Volume Purchase Program and how to get started in iTunes Connect.

This is a way for for educational institutions that want to purchase a large amount of licenses for an iPhone or iPad app without the need for countless individual iTunes accounts. The purchasing of these discounted applications is done with the use of vouchers which can be purchased via the Apple Store for Education in $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 denominations. These very vouchers then can be distributed to the program facilitators to be redeemed within the App Store.

Sounds like a great idea if a fairly complicated way to go about it. For the full rundown be sure to check out the Volume Purchase Plan Frequently Asked Questions.

[Thanks anonymized developer for the tip!]

Apple announces App Store volume purchase program is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Football season is fast approaching and why not prepare for the upcoming season by checking out the newly released Madden 2011 for not only the iPhone but on the iPad as well. The iPhone version will run you $7.99 while the iPad version is a bit steeper at $12.99. Yes, these two are pricier than we’d like to see but this is EA’s cream of the crop and has been for many years so it was to be expected. If you are not in a hurry to pick these up, simply wait a few weeks and it’s very possible you will soon see the prices come down.

The game itself contains some pretty great graphics for a portable device but also has some killer features carried over from the console versions as well.

• TDC (“Total Defensive Control”) makes playing defense pure fun. Press the TDC button to pause the action, position your defensive players, and feel the thrill of delivering game-changing hits like never before.

• GameFlow lets you to choose your play without having to go back into the playbook. Stay on the move with more streamlined gameplay.

• Match up all 32 NFL teams featuring updated rosters and nearly 2,000 real players.

• This season, get more gameplay depth with Hot Routes Everywhere. Now draw up Hot Routes for passing, running, and defense. Even save your best (or craziest!) routes as audibles.

EA also states that multiplayer will be coming in a soon to be released update for the iPad version.

[Via TUAW]

Madden 2011 released into App Store for iPhone and iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

And the iOS4 app updates just keep on coming. We’re finding more and more by the day. Whether it’s adding support for the iPhone 4’s awesome retina display or taking advantage of new APIs within iOS4, we’re still watching for them. Here’s the ones we found this time around, and as always, if you see any we missed, be sure to let us know in the comments!

Readdle

Readdle is an incredibly easy to use app that allows you to not only view all kinds of files right on your iPhone, but also allows you to manage and save attachments. It’s one of the better apps we’ve found to handle documents, not to mention reasonably priced. Not only did Readdle’s newest update add multitasking support, it also adds support for USB file transfer through iTunes. Better yet, you can now save attachments via the Mail app.

[iTunes Link]

WeeMee Avatar Creator

WeeMee is an incredibly cool app that allows you to create your own avatars on the fly.  (I bet all of you could have guessed who the above avatar was without a name attached!) It’s a great time killer and an awesome way to express yourself on Twitter or whatever social medium you choose. This update fixed a couple bugs found in their initial iOS4 update. It also adds tons of in-app purchases to choose from. If you decide to check it out, let us know!

[iTunes Link]

Wolfram Alpha

If you need a hardcore math application that can handle any formula or calculation you throw at it, Wolfram Alpha is definitely for you. Leanna reviewed this app a while back and had good things to say about it. I don’t know nearly as much about math as she does, so coming from her, you know it’s decent. I use this app for easy to semi-complicated formulas and it’s always performed incredibly well. This update adds support for the iPhone 4’s retina display as well as optimized images. It also adds multitasking support for fast app switching.

[iTunes Link]

Trism

Trism is a long time favorite on the iPhone platform. It was released not long after the app store initially launched and it’s still a favorite of mine. It takes a newer approach on puzzle games like Tetris. This version of Trism adds HD puzzle pieces to support the iPhone 4’s retina display.  So if you’re in the mood for a game that never gets old and never ends, Trism is definitely a great time killer at a great price.

[iTunes Link]

Reel Director

Reel Director was here before iMovie for iPhone 4, and unlike Apple’s offering it supports not only older iPhone models but iPod touch and iPad as well. That’s right, it’s a universal binary and the latest update includes:

• Import music from iPod music library (iOS 4 only)
• Support iPhone 4 retina display
• Upload to YouTube within app
• Improved HD video quality on iPhone 4
• Improved photo render quality

[iTunes link]

iOS4 Apps Updated: Readdle, WeeMee Avatar Creator, Wolfram Alpha, Trism, Reel Director is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Apple generally holds an iPod and iTunes event, where they announce the new iPod family, every September. However, the rumors are pointing towards a mid-August event this year instead.

The MacMagazine today received information from a reliable source within Apple about a new event to the press that the company was planning to soon. Although the schedule cite the source as somewhere around 14 and 16, we bet our chips on a Monday or Tuesday – that is, 16 or August 17.

We’ve already seen evidence of a new iPod touch with a front facing camera for FaceTime and a new rear camera with flash. In addition to these expectations, the source claims that Apple will deliver information about iOS 4 for the iPad as well as release iLife ‘11.

Apple has never discussed iLife during their fall iPod event, so why would they this year? Perhaps they will introduce a new music application to the suite that integrates with the iPod and iOS 4.

What do you think? Will we actually see an event in just a matter of weeks and what will be discussed? Sound off in the comments below!

[MacRumors]

Apple to host iPod, iTunes, iOS 4 event in August? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

The TiPb forums are naturally a great place to talk, commiserate, celebrate, get help, and offer advice to your fellow iPhone users. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if you haven’t already head on over and register now!

• Those of you who the the iPhone 4 probably have already ordered your free case and if so, have you received it yet?

• There is no question that the battery life on the iPhone 4 is superb. In the following thread post up a screen shot of the best battery stats you have obtained – iPhone 4 Battery Life: Post a usage screenshot.

• Do you use iPhone games on iPad? Chad can never decide which iOS device he wants to game on. He likes the bigger screen but he feels it takes longer for iPad versions to come out he’s not sure about buying the same game twice. How do you feel?

• Dieter, Mike, and the folks back at SPE HQ have given the forums, blog, and store an clean new look and feel. What do you think of it?

See you in the forums!

Free case from Apple, Battery life, Gaming on iPad vs iPhone,New TiPb Look – From the Forums is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been spotted outside of flour + water, a little Italian restaurant in San Francisco.

Kim, the young man in the photo, is a huge Apple fan from Sweden and just happened to get in line at flour + water behind Steve Jobs. Steve politely declined Kim’s request to take a photo with him, but when the last available seat was taken by the customer in front of Steve, Kim’s friend captured this photo as Mr. Jobs was leaving. Kim was quite excited, to say the least.

[TechCrunch, flower + water]

Steve Jobs != flower + water is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

If you were looking for an excuse to jailbreak your iPhone 4 using FaceTime over your carriers 3G network may just sway some of you to bite the bullet and go through the process. This can be done by installing a application located in Cydia called My3G [$3.99]. The app allows you to run any Wi-Fi only app over your carriers 3G network. While the FaceTime video calling quality suffers a bit compared to using Wi-Fi it still looks more than decent.

Update: If you’re curious, 9to5Mac says a 5 min FaceTime call used almost 15 MB of data. Something to keep in mind if you have a data cap.

To those of you who have not tried to jailbreak, is using FaceTime over 3G worth giving it a shot? Sound off in the comments below and be sure to check out the video after the break!

[9 to 5 Mac x2 and TiPb forums]

iPhone 4 jailbreak enables FaceTime over 3G is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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

The TiPb forums are naturally a great place to talk, commiserate, celebrate, get help, and offer advice to your fellow iPhone users. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if you haven’t already head on over and register now!

• In case you have not heard, a new jailbreak has been released and a unlock is right around the corner. So to discuss these topics be sure to visit our iPhone Jailbreak and Unlock forum!

• So far the iPhone 4’s battery life has been nothing less than stellar for myself and many others, how about you – how is your iPhone 4’s battery life?

• Are you looking for some fresh high resolution wallpaper for your iPhone 4? Then this is the thread for you – iPhone 4 wallpaper.

• Want to discuss Apple’s competition? Be sure to check out the Other Smartphones and Gadgets forum!

See you in the forums!

Jailbreak and unlock, iPhone 4 battery life, Wallpaper, iPhone competition – From the Forums is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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