Chinese hackers have put 50,000 stolen iTunes accounts up for auction on the site TaoBao. The site knows that the listings are stolen and won’t take them down until it gets a valid request from Apple.

The Griffin Beacon has launched for the iPhone 4 and it will turn the device into a universal remote control. It has a hardware device that interfaces with an app via Bluetooth and then sends the commands to your IR gear.

First, we found out that AT&T is planning an iPhone U-verse IPTC interface, which would combine the carrier’s Internet and video service with mobile-controlled PVRs. An Apple patent application was also uncovered this week that shows a new “At a Glance” screen for the iPhone.

The iPhone 3G was discovered to have a hidden data matrix code printed on its side and the Genius playlist-making ability was added to the Remote app. The iPhone 3G adapter was recalled this week in fear of electrocution risks as well.

QuickPwn 2.1 for Windows was released by the Dev Team, which makes jailbreaking iPhone 3G’s latest update a snap.

In application-related news, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for the iPhone was released to the App Store this week as a companion to the also just-released console game by the same name. We also learned that Trism has made over $250,000 so far in sales.

Fonolo was demoed this week and we got video footage of the “deep dialing” system in action. Finally, the Griffin AirCurve acoustic amplifier was introduced, which boosts the audio output of your iPhone which docking it.

In fact, this dock has a waveguide that’s coiled so sound is amplified from the iPhone’s speaker. And though you won’t get the best sound quality in the world, you will definitely have louder output, making the iPhone much more suitable as an alarm in this fashion.

It works with batteries or a power adapter and you can even charge or sync your phone while it’s on the dock. The AirCurve will make its debut sometime in October. And it’s seriously cheap. Just $20 will get you this stylish dock that should make setting your alarm (and actually waking up by it) less of a hope and more of a reality.

[via MacWorld]

Griffin elan Form, Nu Form and Wave case for iPhone 3G Cases

Griffin elan Form for iPhone 3G Cases

Assembling the Elan Form and Nu Form is easy as pie – they snap together and come apart vertically along the sides. From an aesthetic point of view the cases look smooth, and they add a nice, contoured feel to the handset. The Wave Case is a little trickier to assemble and take apart; make sure to watch the video below to see “how I do it”.  If both form and function is your thing, then the easy slide-off bottom section is perfect for when you need to dock the iPhone 3G.  Unfortunately the Wave Case doesn’t offer the same easy dock feature, so you’ll need to take it apart if you want to sit your iPhone 3G in the actual Apple dock.

Griffin Nu Form for iPhone 3G Cases

When it comes to the fundamentals, it doesn’t matter which case you opt for: each is designed to give you full access to the microphone, speaker, and Dock Connector, hence the open bottom design.  The top is fully open as well, freeing up the headphone port and Sleep/Wake button.  There’s a cut out on the back for the camera and the left side is fully cut open for access to the side controls.

As I mentioned above, all three cases come with a rigid, non-adhesive clear plastic screen protector, and there’s a black cleaning cloth included in the package too.  This is an excellent way for Griffin to add value to their cases.  You may or may not like the screen protector.  I usually don’t use a screen protector at all and leave the glass opened; I’d be interested to know what you do, so leave what you think in the comments below.

Griffin elan Form, Nu Form and Wave case for iPhone 3G Cases

The bottom line: the elan Form, Nu Form and Wave cases for the  iPhone 3G are well-made cases with a sleek design while also protecting your iPhone 3G from drops, dings and scratches.

Griffin Wave case for iPhone 3G

Demo video fo Griffin elan Form, Nu Form and Wave case for iPhone 3G

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsKmTL1125w[/youtube]

Buy Griffin elan Form for iPhone 3G @ MYiPhone.com

Griffin elan Form image gallery

Griffin Nu Form image gallery

Buy Griffin Nu Form for iPhone 3G at MYiPhone.com

Griffin Wave case image gallery

Buy Griffin Wave for iPhone 3G at MYiPhone.com

As you can see, these mold plates fit the rumored specifications very nicely, and the sensor placement in the mold matches them as well. The mold is clearly form Griffin, who is considered to be very creditable, and the authority when it comes to accessories. The fact that it says Griffin, in itself gives this rumor a whole bunch more credibility.

While it is possible it is a hoax with a little clever Photo Shop work going on, it is a very good amount of work to go through. If the mold turns out to be real, and assuming they are using it now, we could see Griffin iPhone cases as soon as launch day for the new iPhone.

[Via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

As was to be expected, it’s not a black & white outcome.  Using the ClearBoost case – and monitoring the iPhone’s signal strength via the Field Test software rather than the less-than-accurate bars display – in some situations saw much increased reception, while in others the case actively reduced reception.  At its best, the case significantly improved the iPhone’s reception; considering 3dBm difference actually means the amount of RF energy reaching the iPhone’s antenna doubles, we observed more than four times the signal using the case in each area.  As Griffin point out, that could make the difference between a failed and a completed call, although whether the iPhone displayed a difference in bars (as opposed to the Field Test app) varied.  

However, when we used the iPhone with a Bluetooth headset (e.g. with the handset itself on a desk or table, or in a bag) the benefits of the case disappeared; in fact, while the ClearBoost did not affect the iPhone’s reception in strong signal areas, having the case actually hindered the cellphone’s reception in medium and weak signal areas.  Ironically, the case reduced reception in the weak signal area by almost the same factor as it improved it when the iPhone was held rather than used with a headset. 

The difference could be due to the position of the iPhone antenna, at the base of the handset, which is blocked by a users hand when held normally but not when the handset is used hands-free.  Griffin themselves suggest that it’s the copper strip inside the case (terminating in the stub at the top) which “repositions” the iPhone antenna to remove that obsticle.  We looked at signal strength when the iPhone was in a metal case and observed similar reduction in signal strength whether the handset was held or set down.

As a case, the ClearBoost seemed as sturdy as any other polycarbonate example we’ve seen, and the screen protector is a nice touch.  Although it fits the iPhone snugly, it would be nice to see some cushion material lining the inside to guard against scratches.  Obviously, the stub aerial is a varying annoyance depending on where you keep your iPhone: upright in a pocket it actually gives something handy to grab onto, but horizontally it can catch on fabric and be a minor struggle.  Aesthetically, like many hard cases, it’s not exactly a prize-winning beauty.

Is it worth $29.99?  That depends on how and where you use your iPhone: if you usually rely on a Bluetooth hands-free, or live in an area with generally decent AT&T coverage, you’ll either notice little improvement or, in some cases, worse performance from your handset.  If you hold your iPhone normally, and have issues with poor quality, glitchy calls or dropped connections, the ClearBoost could improve your experience.

iPhone Buzz tested the ClearBoost case taking multiple readings from the Field Test app on an non-hacked iPhone using AT&T’s network.  Figures are an average of those readings.  If you buy a ClearBoost yourself, we’d be interested to hear your experience with the case: let us know in the comments or via the tips page.