iTweak: an upcoming alternative to Cydia

Since the jailbreak community formed sometime in late 2007, we’ve seen a number of “App Store alternatives.” I can think of Icy, Cydia, Rock Your iPhone, and Installer just off the top of our head.

Now it looks like we could soon be adding another option into the mix: iTweak. The new store describes itself as a ‘Cydia alternative’ where jailbreakers will be available to find all of their favorite tweaks, themes and utilities…

iTweakStore.com just went live with a ‘Coming Soon’ banner, and the following message:

“Welcome to iTweak! iTweak is one of the best places to get all of your Tweaks, Themes, Utilities and more on your jailbroken iPhone, iPod touch and iPad! We serve as an alternative to Cydia, and the Apple App Store.”

We’ve seen a number of promising Cydia challengers over the years that never managed to materialize, so for now we’re remaining skeptical. But if these guys can really deliver on their claims of a “fast, powerful, and easy to use” jailbreak store, we’re all for it.

There doesn’t seem to be any word on when iTweak will be open for business, but as always we’ll be sure to keep you up to date as the story develops.

What do you think of iTweak so far? Do we really need a Cydia alternative?

[Via: idownloadblog]

Tweaks: ‘Deck’ on your HomeScreen

The Deck teaser video with a simulator preview was nice, but nothing does it justice like a little hands-on action.

A few minutes ago I was able to go one-on-one with the upcoming Deck jailbreak tweak from SBCoders.

Is it as smooth as the initial preview video? You betcha.

Deck allows you to invoke a “hotbar” from the Home screen, which allows you to access a plethora of system functions, apps, and shortcuts.

The tweak is still in beta, but as you can tell from the video, it’s running really smooth right now.

We’ll let you know as soon as it drops on Cydia, but in the meantime tell us what you think about it. Does Deck have a place reserved in your iPhone workflow?

[Via: idownloadblog]

Adobe Photoshop Touch hits iPad 2

Photoshop maker Adobe Systems, Inc., released a long-expected iPad companion aptly named “Photoshop Touch.” The Android version demonstrated at Maxx earlier this year and released shortly afterwards.

The first in a series of six touch-optimized apps (the other five are Collage, Debut, Ideas, Kuler and Proto), it supports Photoshop layers—arguably the basic and most-oft used Photoshop feature. With simple finger gestures, users can combine multiple photos into layered images, make popular edits, and apply professional effects. It also provides advanced selection tools and adjustments.

According to Adobe’s website, the tablet-exclusive Scribble Selection Tool lets you extract objects in an image by simply scribbling on what to keep and then what to remove. With Refine Edge technology from Adobe Photoshop, even hard-to-select areas with soft edges, such as hair, are easily captured when making selections. Photoshop Touch also plays nice with Creative Cloud—a brand new paid cloud storage service from Adobe for seamless sync of your Photoshop files between desktop and iPad.

Social sharing is also supported through Facebook or email. You can also import images from Facebook, Google Image Search, and your iPad’s camera roll. Photoshop Touch works only on iPad 2 and requires iOS 5. The app is a $9.99 download from the App Store. Photoshop Touch became available on Android devices last November.

[Via: 9to5mac]

Rumor: iPad 3 already shipping from China

With the iPad 3 rumored to be announced in the first week of March, 9to5mac’s Mark Gurman has provided a few more tidbits about the iPad 3′s launch this evening. 9to5mac has obtained a leaked shipping document indicating that the iPad 3 has already begun shipping from China and is making its way to US airports. The document says that deliveries are set to take place March 9th.

Next, there’s word that Apple could be taking pre-orders for the iPad 3. You may recall that the iPad 2 wasn’t available for pre-order, while the original iPad was…

9to5mac says that iPad 3 pre-orders could begin as early as March 7th, or possibly a few days later. 

The iPad 3 is rumored to have a Retina display, quad-core processor, upgraded cameras, LTE, and Siri support. Apple’s new tablet is also rumored to ship with iOS 5.1.

Additionally, 9to5mac reports that Apple may launch a second product in March — which is most likely to be the upgraded Apple TV we’ve been hearing about over the past few months. Most likely shipping at $99, it’s rumored to have 1080p and Bluetooth 4 support.

Lastly, the report indicates that Apple may keep around the iPad 2 at a lower price point. Apple will discontinue all of the iPad 2′s, except the black and white 16GB units, to sell them for cheaper than the iPad 3.

With these rumors dropping in, an early March launch seems like a definite reality. It’s just a matter of what date exactly, we’re waiting on. Apple should be sending out invites to their press event in the coming days.

Are you excited for the iPad 3?

[Via: idownloadblog & 9to5mac]

New Mercedes Benz A-Class to feature Siri integration

Being unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month, stylish car manufacturer Mercedes will reveal its new Mercedes Benz A-Class automobile. Not only having a stylish outside, the new A-Class will feature Mercedes’ new COMAND entertainment system, which will be focused around the iPhone 4S’ Siri technology, reports AutoBlog.

COMAND will use Siri so drivers can make appointments, send text messages and emails, get weather information, and control their music through Siri’s voice commands. Siri is already a great tool and looks even better when integrated with your car’s speaker system…

Mercedes’ current A-Class is priced at £16,045 (USD$21,453), which is one of Mercede’s cheapest options. Mercedes says Siri integration will be rolling into its more expensive line of vehicles, the B-, C- and E-Class models, this fall.

You might remember that Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs’ automobile of choice was a silver Mercedes SL55 AMG. I’m sure he would have loved to see his Siri technology embedded into his favorite whip.

Mercedes’ implementation of Siri sounds closely related to Ford’s Sync technology, which is developed by Microsoft. It’s great to see technology that gets the phone out of people’s hands, so they can pay attention to the road.

Mercedes’ is also set to reveal a new Digital DriveStyle app to the iTunes App Store that will stream Europe’s Pandora equivalent AUPEO! radio, connect with Facebook and Twitter to post statuses and read them allowed, and Garmin navigation system technology that will provide directions. All of which will be streamed out loud through the Mercedes’ speakers.

The new A-Class will first be launched in the UK. However, we expect Mercedes’ new COMAND entertainment to make its way to at least some automobiles in the US around fall.

[Via: idownloadblog & iPhone in Canada]