For starters, Spore Origins came out for the iPhone and it offers two modes of gameplay that fully utilize the iPhone’s unique functions. Plus, we learned that PhoneSaber would be returning to the App Store as Lightsaber Unleashed to more fully integrate with the release of the upcoming Lucas Arts game, The Force Unleashed.

Apple’s Let’s Rock event was on Tuesday and SlashGear was there with live blogging. iTunes 8.0 was released as were the new iPod nano and a revised iPod touch. iPhone firmware 2.1 was also announced and it made its debut on Friday promising improved battery life and several bug fixes. Steve Jobs even talked to CNBC.com following the keynote to give a little insider info on the latest iPod line.

We also learned this week that a hacker would be having a live webcast to show how easily the iPhone could be cracked. What we found out was that the iPhone actually takes screenshots of all you do in order to perform transitions. However, these screenshots are not overwritten, meaning they could be accessed by a hacker.

Not too much gear talk this week, but we did get a look at the iBikeConsole, which lets you control your iPod and keep both hands on the handle bars at the same time.

“First thing I noticed is that in the hand, despite the swollen dimensions, the second-gen iPhone feels just as, if not more, svelte than its predecessor.  The touchscreen display is unchanged and just as responsive, while the buttons have sharper edges and feel ‘clickier’ and more precise” Vincent on the iPhone 3G

Keep reading SlashGear for masses more photos, video and the full official review later on today!

“We believe NAND Flash drive sizes have now reached capacities that Apple would consider large enough to include in a new MacBook model.  As a result, a new, smaller version of Apple’s MacBook, and possibly an entirely new product, is more likely to be launched at MacWorld in early January” Gene Munster, Analyst

Munster also suggested that the iPhone would gain a mobility-friendly version of the file finding app Spotlight, enabling system-wide searches and contextual keyword strings.  Such a feature – coinciding, he believes, with the iPhone being officially opened to third-party applications – would strengthen the handset’s claims as a smartphone rather than a high-end fashion cellphone. 

[via SlashGear]

The problem was persistent as his second iPod Touch had the same problem. Well Apple has finally admitted to the problem. They said it was a problem with a small batch of iPod Touch’s and that the problem is being fixed. This admission of guilt came after Walt Mossberg put them on the Rack and stretched’em out, joking, but he was the one that confronted them and got an answer.

iPod Touch screen problems, Negative Black Effect [Updated] [via SlashGear]

So far the rumour monkeys have been busy planting seeds the shape of iPods into our heads, with word of a major refresh to the PMP line that would likely see them once again extend their lead over the snarling competition.  A smaller, higher-capacity iPod nano replacement is high on the list of possibles, shrinking the flash-based player even closer to the size of its shuffle brethren, while the iPhone DNA is expected to be shared – in part, at least – with the full-grown iPod, gaining a widescreen, touch-sensitive display and the OS X interface.

Meanwhile, in a binary world of slender 1s and chubby 0s, hot tip for iTunes is a freshly signed agreement to bring the music of the Beatles to Apple’s download service.  Long a bone of contention, it’d be a splash of success to Apple’s burning cheeks after the NBC disagreement.  Also predicted is a custom ringtones app for the iPhone, turning tracks into ringtones for your favourite fruit-themed cellphone.

So head on over to http://www.myitablet.com/live/ tomorrow at 10am for SlashGear’s Live Blogging of the Apple Special Event – good news or otherwise, we’ll bring it to you first!