An iPhone 64GB prototype has surfaced in the ‘grey’ market in Hong Kong. According to an article by Sara Yin, PCMagazine.com, the rumor was first announced on Chinese-language blog Unwire.hk and later ‘confirmed’ by MIC Gadget. The 64GB model appears to be unlocked and running iOS 4.1. MIC Gadget’s photos of the model found are much like the iPhone 4 model that Gizmodo found last spring in a bar. The model shows lots of XX’s on its case. The model number states ‘XXXXX’, FCC ID number is ‘BCG- XXXXXX,’ and printed capacity is ‘XXGB.’

iPhone 64GB Prototype Found in China

Macrumors reported that the model found in China was produced in early 2010. They had analyzed the serial number from MIC Gadget’s photos and determined the phone was produced well before the launch of the iPhone 4 in June 2010. It is also running an older version the iOS.

Evidence suggests that Apple produced and then discarded the iPhone 64GB model. In June 2010, Apple came out with just 2 versions of the iPhone 4, with 16GB and 32GB capacities. Apple may still be planning to come out with the 64GB version, as it isn’t unlike them to come out with a third generation after the first release. According to PCMagazine, “the original iPhone debuted in 2007 with 4GB and 8GB of space, but in February 2008, Apple released another 16GB model. Then in July 2009 Apple launched the iPhone 3GS in 16GB and 32GB versions, but later added an 8GB model after recession-stricken consumers complained that the phones were priced too high.” When the iPhone 4 was released last year, many criticized Apple for not releasing a version with higher storage capacity.

Perhaps Apple will include a 64GB version of the iPhone 5. With Verizon now selling the iPhone, Apple will need to make the iPhone 5 something extra special in order to get iPhone 4 users willing to upgrade. Just as the iPad 2 isn’t all that much different than the iPad, Apple will need to put a lot of pizzazz into the iPad 3 to get people to upgrade.

Beware of buying a ‘grey’ market iPhone. Obviously Apple won’t be honoring any kind of warranty on these phones. With the battery life kind of lacking on the iPhone, you can’t send it back to get a new battery installed by Apple. Of course one solution to the short battery life is to buy a cool gadget that actually has a backup battery in it. There’s a new Apple approved aftermarket iPhone 4 case with an external battery built in. It takes over when your internal battery gets low and gives you another 3 1/2 hours of talk time. You can buy this rechargeable battery case for iPhone4 at batteries4less.

Support for CellPlaza.org is provided by batteries4less.com, the leading online retailer of camera replacement batteries, cell phone batteries, chargers, mobile accessories and cordless phone batteries. Buy a LG Vu cu920 Battery online at batteries4less.

4i Concepts’s 4iThumbs2 is a stick on keyboard for the iPhone. The concept behind the stick on keyboard, available in both portrait and landscape mode for $13-$25 with bumper, is to get users comfortable with the virtual keyboard. According to an article by Doug Rule, Mobiledia, “4i Concepts’s 4iThumbs2 is an invisible, removable plastic film that sits over the face of an iPhone, with ridges between keys to help ensure a finger hits the intended key, not any of its neighbors. The film is held in place by a bumper, and can be easily removed and stored on the back of the phone when not in use.”

“As the only tactile ridged screen for the iPhone, 4iThumbs2 is sort of like training wheels for new iPhone users, making their transition to a touch screen comfortable and easy,” said Jerry Rosengarten, founder of 4i Concepts.

Have you sent embarrassing text messages because of typos? There is actually a website dedicated to the laughable and embarrassing mistakes. It’s called “Damn You Auto Correct.” It features mistakes like “Your Mum and I are going to divorce next month,” instead of “Your Mum and I are going to Disney next month.” The founder of the site, Jillian Madison, has actually been offered a book deal due out this month, according to an article by Brian McCullough, Mobiledia. Perhaps this new keyboard will help that situation.

iPhone users seem to be more susceptible to texting errors than other Smartphone texters. According to the article on Mobiledia, apparently this is due to the fact that iPhone requires specific input to decline an auto suggestion, and many users are in too much of a hurry and just press “send” without checking. Not only can this be embarrassing but can be potentially career damaging, depending on who you are texting.

What about the Android users? So far there are no plans for a similar keyboard for the Droids. Perhaps this is because they vary in screen size. Regardless, Google has given the Android users several tools to help with their clumsy fingers. I think my personal favorite is Swype. It allows you to slide your finger along from letter to letter in a continuous motion and have the Swype app auto suggest words. Another tool Google offers on the Android is speech to text so you can dictate your testing. It works fairly well, and is of course editable.

Got any embarrassing text mistakes you want to share? Are you an iPhone user or use another Smartphone? The bottom line is that you should proofread your texts before sending. Yes, a keyboard trainer would help, but you still need to check your words.

Support for CellPlaza.org is provided by batteries4less.com, the leading online retailer of camera replacement batteries, cell phone batteries, chargers, mobile accessories and cordless phone batteries. Buy a LG Vu cu920 Battery online at batteries4less.

Are you a Catholic needing to go to confession? There’s an app for that. Seriously though, it’s not actually an app to substitute for confession. (The Catholic Church is very clear on this issue.) It is an app for the iPhone that helps you figure out how you’ve sinned (as if you didn’t know) and formulate a confession. It’s called Confession: A Roman Catholic App, and was created by Little iApps with the help of two Catholic priests ($1.99). And it has been given the blessing of Bishop Kevin C. Rhodes of the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend, Indiana.

Forgiveness is Just an App Away

“Very cool; very useful,” wrote Thomas Peters of catholicvote.org, an online community for Catholics. Peters praised the app as being “not like those other programs that claim to ‘wash away sin’ and are essentially mockeries of confession, not preparations for the sacrament.”

This Confession App does not promise to forgive you of your sins. The app was developed as a tool to assist you with your confession, and offers a “personal examination of conscience,” plus a step-by-step guide to confessing. According to an article by Megan O’Neil, Appolicious, as you go through the app, you are guided through the 10 Commandments, with self-examination through a series of questions. For example: “Tap on the fourth commandment – honor thy father and mother – and you are asked several questions such as “Do I try not to bring peace into my home life?” and “Do I not care for my aged and infirmed relatives?” Check all that apply. Then, move into the confession feature. The app guides you through exactly how the sacrament should proceed, including your opening lines “In the name of the Father, Son… Bless me Father for I have sinned…” And when it is time to state your sins, the items that you had check-marked are listed for you, so you don’t find yourself scrambling or forgetting anything. Included in the app are no less than seven versions of the Act of Contrition, including one in Latin (for those who remember the pre-Vatican II days). Many of other important prayers are also there, including the Hail Mary, Our Father, Apostles’ Creed, etc.”

The app is not a substitute for meeting with a priest and receiving absolution. The Catholic Church looks at this app as a tool, a way to do a little soul searching. I find it interesting that it is only available to iPhone users. I guess those of us who own Droid or BlackBerry phones are without sin and need no confession. (Yeah, right.) With the age of smart technology, will there come a time when you can program your Smartphone to monitor your activities and log your most recent sins in preparation for your next confession? Interesting concept, don’t you think? What’s your take on the Confession app? Are you Catholic? Would you use it if you could?

Pad wars are heating up. Today Apple is hosting an event in San Francisco where they are rumored to be revealing the new iPad 2. Google revealed the new Honeycomb (Android 3.0) last month. And the race is on! There are many Android based tablets debuting this year. Will they be able to compete with the new iPad 2?

Android 3.0 vs. iPad 2

HP revealed their new TouchPad today in San Francisco as well. According to ZDNet, at Hewlett-Packard’s event in San Francisco today, Senior Vice President and GM Jon Rubinstein shows off the company’s long-awaited tablet. Running WebOS, the TouchPad features a 9.7-inch screen and is designed to work in conjunction with the company’s WebOS-based Smartphones. Obviously this event was made to coincide with Apple’s event and to take away some of the limelight from the new iPad 2.

We are still speculating on the features for the new iPad 2. The new HP TouchPad is boasting many options that the iPad 2 won’t have. The main component that is missing from the iPad 2 is Adobe Flash. Apple and Adobe don’t play well together. This can be a problem when it comes to viewing websites on the iPad. HP’s new toy has Adobe Flash and comes bundled with QuickOffice, giving you the ability to access and edit Microsoft Office documents. It is compatible with DropBox and Box.net and of course, Google Docs.

What will it take for the Android Honeycomb to compete with the iPad 2? The experts at Light Reading Mobile have posted their opinion on what it will take. They say that the biggest thing going for the Android systems is that there will be potentially up to a 100 different tablets based on the Android OS, with varying pricing, size and functionality. Apple will only have 2 devices to carry their brand. In addition to the variety of devices, the Androids will need something more. Light Reading Mobile suggests the Androids will need all the G’s (3G, 4G and Wi-Fi). They will need to hit the carriers not supporting Apple (like Sprint and T-Mobile). Of course they should play up the fact that they include Adobe Flash. And one of the best suggestions Light Reading Mobile has made is that the Android needs to include more ports. Heavy Reading’s Ayvazian says Android tablets should include additional standard ports like USB, DVI and HDMI, and an SD card slot.

Will either the iPad 2 or the Honeycomb tablets include being used as a cell phone? Dean Bubley, founder, Disruptive Analysis Ltd. adds, “A good telephony experience, either with a headset or using the tablet with a stand as a pseudo desk-phone, well implemented SMS and MMS, NFC reader and open APIs for developers and easy support of USB 3G dongle modems.”

I want a new Android tablet. What about you? Are you holding out for an iPad, perhaps version 3, or are you a Google-based user? And then there is the rumor of the new Amazon Android Kindle. So many choices… Which appeals to you?

The much touted iPad 2 is rumored to be revealed today in San Francisco at 1:00 pm. Special invitations for the event were sent out with a sneaky-looking iPad peeking out from behind the date. Rumors are flying about just what the new features will be. According to Catharine Smith, The Huffington Post, MacLife offers a sobering prediction: “While many may be disappointed if Apple doesn’t ’shock and awe’ with the next iPad, the reality is that the company’s tablet is leading the market by such a wide margin at this point, Cupertino can still afford to coast a little bit — at least until September, when the rumor mill claims we’ll likely see a more spectacular iPad 2 with the bells and whistles that make us all swoon.”

iPad 2 Event in San Francisco Today

What do you think the next iPad will feature? Rumors are flying speculating about everything from front and back cameras with flash to a new smaller size. Steve Jobs says the smaller size won’t happen, and ridiculed 7″ tablets as “tweeners.” Some of the rumors include an SD card slot, a new multi-core “A5″ processor based on Cortex A9, a very high-resolution display (2048×1536), a side port for docking while in landscape, improved speakers and iLife for iPad. I guess we will just have to wait until the event this afternoon to see just what they reveal.

What about pricing? Rumor has it that the original iPad will remain at about $399 while the new version will go for about $599. Do you think $599 is too much to pay? I know right now you can also get a 32 GB iPad for $899, and people seem to be fine paying that price. Perhaps the new iPad will also have an upgraded “premier” version.

iPad vs. Android tablets? If you are an Apple user (iPhone, Mac, iPod, etc.) you will probably want to stick with the iPad. I have a Motorola Droid X Smartphone so I will probably stick with an Android tablet. Actually there are rumors that Amazon will be releasing a new Kindle Android tablet. I already have the Kindle and love it, so a hybrid of the Android system and the Kindle would suit me perfectly. What about you? iPad or Android?