iWatchz announced today that their two new iPod nano watch strap collections, Carbon and Timepiece, will be available for purchase in North American Apple stores on April 19th. The collections feature versatile colors and styles that can go from the boardroom to the boardwalk in three simple steps: Press, Slide, Click.

The Carbon and Timepiece Collections join the iWatchz Q Collection that rapidly ascended to the top spot in the new market of iPod nano® watchbands when it launched in November 2010. The iWatchz Carbon Collection features a high end black leather wrist strap with a carbon fiber look, paired with a black anodized and blasted aluminum iWatchz clip system. The iWatchz Timepiece Collection is sleek and fashionable, pairing a leather wrist strap with a beautiful, polished stainless-steel iWatchz clip system. A stainless-steel deployment buckle completes this unique band adding comfort and durability for the wearer.

Consumers can purchase the new iWatchz Carbon and Timepiece collections at North American Apple stores beginning April 19th. A list of Apple retail locations can be found online at http://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/.

Column5 Consulting, an SAP services and channel partner supporting SAP® BusinessObjects™ analytic applications, announces the availability of the Business Analytics Toolkit, a free iPad app in Apple’s App Store, available now for immediate download. The app has been designed specifically for use by those interested in learning more about the SAP BusinessObjects enterprise performance management (EPM), business intelligence (BI) and enterprise information management (EIM) solutions.

The Business Analytics Toolkit provides a one-stop shop for users to gather information about SAP BusinessObjects analytic applications, showing how a company can realize increased organizational effectiveness through use of these solutions. The app is designed to provide the latest information on SAP BusinessObjects analytic applications, including customer stories and related events. In addition, the iPad app is a “living” reference resource and will automatically keep itself up to date with fresh content so users don’t have to spend time scouring the Web for the latest information.

“Column5 is proud to present a one-of-a-kind app as a service to users and prospective users of SAP BusinessObjects analytic applications, which will help them readily identify the significant value that these applications can provide,” said David Den Boer, managing principal, Column5 Consulting. “Our goal was to break through the clutter of information on the Web about SAP BusinessObjects analytic applications, so we have built a user-friendly, one-stop reference filled with relevant information on these solutions. We will continue to work alongside SAP to deliver the latest content to users of the Business Analytics Toolkit, and are looking forward to refining the app even further in the coming months.”

“The power of SAP BusinessObjects analytic applications is made even stronger through co-innovation with partners like Column5,” said Kurt J. Bilafer, Global Vice President, Analytics, Ecosystem and Channel Partners, SAP. “The Business Analytics Tookit app for the iPad makes it easy for users and prospective users to learn about the rich business value provided by SAP BusinessObjects analytic applications. We encourage anyone interested in SAP BusinessObjects analytic applications to download this Toolkit for the iPad.”

Column5 is already working on versions 2 and 3 of the Business Analytics Toolkit app, scheduled to be available by the end of April and May, respectively. In the meantime, users of the app will find that content for version 1 is updated almost daily and available immediately at their fingertips.

For more information on the app, or to download it for free, please click here. The app is available for download at any time from the Apple Store.

Apple® today announced that iPad® 2, the second-generation of its third post-PC device, will go on sale in 25 additional countries this Friday, March 25. iPad 2 will be available at Apple retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers at 5 p.m. local time, and online through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com) beginning at 1 a.m. Apple today also announced that all models of iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April.

“While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we’ve changed the game again with iPad 2,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the US, and customers around the world have told us they can’t wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone’s patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”

iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect.

Pricing & Availability
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25 for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April, and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.

iMovie® and GarageBand® for iPad apps are available for $4.99 (US) each from the App Store? on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore. The Smart Cover is available in a range of colors in vibrant polyurethane for $39 (US) or rich leather for $69 (US).

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Monster Mobile has arrived in the mobile application world with the release of their premier iPhone application, Monster Free Apps. While free iPhone apps are not new, this app keeps on giving – different paid apps for free every day.

The Problem:
As every iPhone user can attest to, the amount of apps offered is downright staggering – currently approaching 400,000 to choose from. There are a lot of useful and good free apps that users can download – but many of them leave much to be desired.

“Just about every iPhone user knows that if you want a really good-quality app, most of the time you’re going to have to pay for it,” states Monster Mobile co-founder Manny Coats. “There are a few exceptions, but that is generally the rule – the best apps are paid apps.”

The Secret of Paid iPhone Apps:
One of the best ‘little-known-secrets’ of the iPhone app community is that paid apps go on sale for free every day. Developers use ‘free sales’ as a way to expand their user base, and hopefully, get a few positive reviews. With any luck, they may get some word-of-mouth movement and find themselves on a top iPhone app list, which could result in a significant sales increase after the free period ends.

“The problem is, these sales are pretty low-key,” explains Coats. “While developers may be happy to offer their app for free for a limited time, they have no solid way of letting people know about it. So most people miss out on knowing that a good-quality app was free for a short while.”

Coats explains where the idea for Monster Free Apps came from: “I learned that an app my wife had just bought for $1.99 was free a week prior to her purchase. Even though it was less than two bucks, she wished she had known it was free just days before. This got me thinking: wouldn’t it be great if there was an app for that? And the idea was born – an app that tells you when paid apps are being offered free of charge.”

The Difference:
While there are websites and available apps that list discounted paid apps, Monster Free Apps has a rare feature: daily push notifications that alert users to available free applications. Coats says this important feature is what makes Monster Free Apps stand out from the others.

“We’re doing all the work for you,” he states. “You don’t have to remember to check in every day. We’ll send you a daily message letting you know about some of the top paid apps that are being offered free for that day. All you have to do is read the message and then decide if you want to take advantage of the free app.”

Coats adds that a polished and clean interface helps distinguish the new application, as well does the price tag: free! Monster Free Apps is itself free to use.

Saving Money:
With cell phone bills climbing higher and higher, one thing on everyone’s mind is saving money. Coats says one of the best parts about Monster Free Apps is the saving money aspect.

Says Coats: “Almost every iPhone fanatic has a story of not paying attention to how many apps they were buying, and getting slapped with a very large bill at the end of the month. For many – especially heavy gamers – it still happens. Monster Free Apps can save you over $60 a month by letting you know when paid apps are free. You will constantly be able to get new apps, but you won’t have to spend a dime. Why pay for apps when you can get them for free?”

Down the Road:
Coats says Monster Mobile has big goals in mind for Monster Free Apps and the future:

“We are working with developers and hope to be able to offer exclusive deals on the best of the best paid apps – free offerings you won’t find anywhere else. We also have aspirations to bring this to all major smartphones, not just the iPhone. We’re always looking ahead,” he says.

For more information, visit http://monsterfreeapps.com or download it directly from the Apple Store.

Following the iPhone 4 antenna problems, nicknamed Antennagate, there are now glass shattering problems, nicknamed Glassgate. Citing sources “inside and outside Apple,” gdgt  says that Apple only recently discovered the weakness in its iPhone 4 design. Apple has purportedly set up a new lab and test program to understand the issue.

Non-bumper cases, specifically ones that slide on to the phone, significantly increase the danger of trapped particles scratching the back of the phone while taking the case on and off. Case-caused scratches may be annoying, but they are nothing new. This particular problem, however, results in the scratches leading to cracking and/or shattering of the whole back panel. In other words, if you put a slider case on your iPhone, there’s a possibility the next time you pull the phone out of the case, the glass will be broken because of this design flaw.

As a result, Apple has severely limited its reselling efforts of third party cases from the Apple Store, even ones that are certified as “Made for iPhone.” This really hurts the manufacturers who designed and built slide-on cases, and who pay Apple a cut to get the certification badge so they can be sold in Apple Stores. None of the third party cases still on Apple’s website and in its stores are the slide-on ones.

It’s not clear how widespread this problem is for those with slide-on cases, but we doubt Apple is going to comment unless the problem gets a lot of coverage. The company likely won’t offer fixes or workarounds either. We can expect a completely different form factor for the iPhone 5 though.

Apple® today announced that the Wi-Fi + 3G models of its magical iPad™ will be delivered to US customers who’ve pre-ordered on Friday, April 30, and will be available in Apple retail stores the same day starting at 5:00 p.m.

iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.6 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music, and up to nine hours of surfing the web using a 3G data network.*

Apple retail stores will offer a free Personal Setup service to every customer who buys an iPad at the store, helping them customize their new iPad by setting up their email, loading their favorite apps from the App Store, and more. US Apple retail stores are also hosting special iPad workshops to help customers learn more about this magical new product.

Apple’s magical new iPad will be available in all 221 US Apple® retail stores and most Best Buy stores this Saturday, April 3, beginning at 9 a.m. Starting at just $499, iPad lets users browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.*

“iPad connects users with their apps and content in a far more intimate and fun way than ever before,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We can’t wait for users to get their hands and fingers on it this weekend.”

Apple retail stores will offer a free Personal Setup service to every customer who buys an iPad at the store, helping them customize their new iPad by setting up their email, loading their favorite apps from the App Store, and more. Also beginning Saturday morning, all US Apple retail stores will host special iPad workshops to help customers learn more about this magical new product.

Pricing & Availability
iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models on April 3 in the US for a suggested retail price of $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, most Best Buy stores, select Apple Authorized Resellers and campus bookstores. The iBooks app for iPad including Apple’s iBookstore will be available as a free download from the App Store in the US on April 3.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.