The Wall Street Journal’s AllThingD site is reporting that Apple will unveil iPhone 5 on an event on October 4. Tim Cook is expected to lead the launch. This sounds like a mega launch event as besides iPhone 5, we can also expect iOS 5, iCloud, new iPod touch and iPod models, or even new AppleTV.

AllThingsD

Since the launch of the first iPhone in June 2007, Apple has consistently brought us a new iPhone model every June. But not this year. This prompts wide speculation on the reason for the delay. Here’s our take:

• Apple is waiting for iOS 5 and iCloud to be ready before the launch of the new hardware. Apple can easily launch iPhone 5 in June with iOS 4. But iCloud and iOS 5 will bring a whole new experience. And Apple wants iPhone 5 to be associated being the device for the iCloud.
• The usual annual refresh cycle for iPod is September. Apple plans to merge the launch of iPhone with the annual iPod refresh, as there is not a lot of excitement anymore for iPod models. iPod touch is running the same software as iPhone, thus it makes sense to launch both together.
• A new iPad model is expected every April. By making iPad and iPhone about 5-6 months apart, there are more breather and less contention for resources for Apple’s supply chain vendors.
• The annual Apple developer conference WWDC is in June. It makes sense to launch a new device few months apart so that developers can get ready their apps.
• One new feature in iOS 5 is iMessage, which will by pass telco’s SMS gateway if you’re sending the message to another iMessage user. This means potentially hugh loss of income for telco especially in Asia market where there are high penetration of SMS usage. It takes time to negotiate with worldwide telcos for the launch.
• September//October is nearer to the golden shopping period that is Christmas. A launch and marketing event nearer Christmas will bring a greater mindset to consumers than a June event.

xe.com is one of the more popular currency exchange rate website and we can heartily recommend its mobile app. XE Currency for iPhone and iPad is a universal app, it is free with ads-supported. When you are online, the currency exchange rate is live. And XE Currency app will saved the last rates if your Internet is not working.

XE Currency for iOS on App Store

SMS preview interrupts whatever you’re doing when you receive a text message and displays an excerpt of the message on your iPhone’s screen. This can create embarrassing moments when your receive a private text message while showing off your iPhone to your boss, or when a co-worker accidentally glances at your message when you left your iPhone on your desk.

Luckily, it is easy to turn the SMS preview off. Start Settings app and tap on the settings for Messages. Toggle the switch for “Show Preview” to OFF to turn off SMS Preview.

What started out as a casual game on the iPhone on December 2009 becomes a legend and a page in the history by being the most successful game in iTunes App Store. Even after more than a year on the chart, Angry Birds still hang on tightly on the top of the chart.

And the empire just keep growing with three version of the games for iOS, and version for Mac, Android, Google Chrome app store, Palm webOS, Maemo, Symbian, PSP, Windows, Windows Phone 7, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.

Angry Bird for iPhone

Angry Birds Season for iPhone

Angry Birds RIO for iPhone

Angry Birds HD for iPad

Angry Birds Season HD for iPad

Angry Birds RIO HD for iPad

Angry Birds for Mac

Apple has released a new update to iOS which fixes security vulnerability when viewing malicious PDF files. This security loophole is used by JailbreakMe.com for its web based jailbreaking method, the same method could be exploited by other malicious downloads.

iOS 4.3.4 update is for iPhone 3GS/4, iPod touch third and fourth generation, and all iPads. Apple also releases iOS 4.2.9 update for CDMA iPhone 4.

Continue the highlight of classic apps, this week we feature Facebook for the iPhone and iPod touch. Being the grand daddy of social network of our time, Facebook app is often one of the first apps iOS users install. There is no native iPad interface for Facebook app.

Lately, Facebook for iOS is playing catchup as some features from Facebook website are not available on the app. Nonetheless this app is the best way for you to connect with your Facebook friends on your iPhone or iPod touch.

Facebook for iPhone/iPod touch iTunes link

When you use iTunes to sync to iPhone and then to iPad, all new iPhone only apps will automatically sync to iPad as well. Very often you’d desire iTunes to sync only iPad apps to iPad only. Currently there is no way to just check a preference option to do so. In order to sync only iPad apps to iPad, you need to manually deselect the apps before you press the sync button.

The first step is to disable automatic sync when you insert iPhone or iPad into USB port. Select iTunes->Preferences (or Command+,) from the menu. Select the “Devices” tab, and check the box for “Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically”.

Connect your iPad to the USB port of your computer. On iTunes left column listing, select the iPad under “DEVICES”. And on the iTunes main screen, select “Apps” from the menu.

Ensure “Sync Apps” is checked, and select “Sort by Kind” from the drop down list. This will sort apps into three categories:

1. iPhone, iPod touch and iPad Apps
2. iPhone and iPod touch Apps
3. iPad Apps

Categories 1 and 3 are apps that are build for iPad and takes advantage of the bigger screen of iPad. Category 2 are apps that are build for iPhone only. Scroll through the list of apps under category 2 and deselect the checkbox.

You can now press the “Apply” or “Sync” button below the screen to start iTunes sync to your iPad.

If you’re concerned about Apple logging your every move on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, time to fire up iTunes to update to iOS 4.3.3.

This update contains changes to the iOS crowd-sourced location database cache including:

- Reduces the size of the cache

- No longer backs the cache up to iTunes

- Deletes the cache entirely when Location Services is turned off

This update also is reported to improve battery life.

Bloomberg is reporting that Apple will begin selling white iPhone 4 by end Apr for both AT&T and Verizon.

The new version will be available from AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless by the end of April, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t public. The release was stalled as Apple resolved manufacturing challenges, including paint that peeled under heat, one person said.

Updated: Apple has confirmed that white iPhone will be arriving this spring.

Via Bloomberg