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Apple Insider is reporting that, rather than layoffs like Palm or unpaid vacation like Dell’s exploring, which would certainly paint a less-than-rosy glow about the company, Apple:

…plans to scale back the hours worked by its part-time Mac Specialists that greet customers and promote products. This would keep them on the store floors while trimming employment costs, those aware of the changes say. To compensate for the shortfall, Geniuses normally assigned to servicing products and answering questions will be asked to spend four of their weekly hours in the Mac Specialist role. Creatives manning the Studio sections of some stores will be asked to work as many as eight hours selling products.

Less person hours, however, is still less person hours. Here’s wishing all the ever-helpful staff at Apple Retail, the great folks at Palm, and everyone at Dell a speedy return to the work they love (and need!), and everyone a little global confidence, a modicum of collective good fortunte, and a lot of responsible leadership moving forward!

Article by TheiPhoneBlog.

First up, with the previous rejection of Gmail client MailWrangler, Engadget says another app which also dares to “duplicate features” found in a Dock App (Apple’s own MobileMail) has actually been accepted into the App Store. Did BdEmailer slip through the cracks? Or is this a sign of inconsistency on Apple’s part? Hot on the heels of the controversy surrounding Google’s Advance Voice Search using non-public API’s, developer confidence in the approval process might drop even further…

…Though Ars’ own Erica Sadun reveals the story of one developer who, after initially having their App rejected by Apple, tried and tried again, and without making a single change to the app, had it approved the second time around. Embarrassing for Apple, if the policies really are that inconsistent.

Speaking of embarrassing, Wired reveals that one developer actually got Amazon’s mechanical turk involved in paying for reviews. Users who get $4 — $2 to “buy” the app, and $2 in bonus for leaving a 5-star review.

Lastly, Erica Sadun is back to remind us that, with the release of iPhone OS 2.2, the NDA is now lifted regarding that firmware, and the public dumping can begin! Any guesses as to what goodies will be found?

Article by TheiPhoneBlog.

Harbinger of things to come? Or just coincidence? You decide. But while you’re deciding, head on over to Apple Software Update and grab yourself a copy of iTunes 8.0.2 and its quality, connectivity, and accessibility fixes.

(Though if you’ve jailbroken, or intend to Unlock when it becomes available, AVOID as we’ve already seen that the new MacBook lineups have jailbreak unfriendly iTunes builds, and this could be more of the same).

Got it? Gotten it? Let us know if you find any tantalizing iPhone hints!

Article by TheiPhoneBlog.

[This is an official Smartphone Experts Round Robin post! Every day you reply here, you're automatically entered for a chance to win an iPhone 3G, Case-Mate Naked Case, and Motorola H9 Bluetooth Headset! Full contest rules here!]

We come to it at last. My time with the Android draws to a close. I have but my final review to write and then I ship it off to the next lucky SME editor for him or her to take their turn. Before I let it go, however, Android Casey had the brilliant idea of asking our loyal iPhone readers for questions!

Anything you want to know about the Google Android G1? Anything you want to see? Anything you’re even a tad curious about? Anything you want to see compared to the iPhone?

Let me know in the comments and not only will you get another change to win our awesome prize pack, I’ll do my darndest to get you the info you not only need, but so richly deserve.

(Also remember to head on over to our sibling sites for more chances to win a Blackberry Bold, Palm Treo Pro, WinMo HTC FUZE, and Android G1!)

Article by TheiPhoneBlog.

Lately the forums have picked up quite a bit of traffic so we have been getting more and more good conversations. Today on the forums is no exception.

First up we have forum regular cjvitek. More than likely if you are reading this you have your own iPhone, well what is your choice of computer? Mac? Windows? Chime in and vote in the poll!

This next thread is something right out of the National Enquirer, It involves a man, woman, and their marriage. Some people are really not the sharpest tools in the shed. Check it out, Man Cheating Via iPhone Gets Caught… yes you heard me correctly…

Next up is thread started by iPhone Nanite, lasvegasoutlaw, and he seems to be having Yahoo “Push” issues on his iPhone. Honestly, it has had issues since day one but how is Yahoo holding up for you? Let the “outlaw” know how your luck has been in the following thread - What is up with Yahoo Push?

Be sure to join our community to be able to post in theforums! It’s free and will only take a minute!

See you on the forums!

Article by TheiPhoneBlog.

According to CNet (via Apple Insider), Apple is in talks with the remaining 3 out of the Big 4 record labels who still refuse to allow iTunes to sell DRM-free music.

Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony BMG currently provide DRM-free music to rival services like Amazon MP3 as a way to promote competition to iTunes, though the lack of availability of these services outside the US, along with iTunes continued (and growing) dominance in digital music, may be causing them to rethink that position.

EMI, of course, has been offering DRM-free music via Apple’s iTunes Plus service since it launched, and at double the bit rate (quality) of the regular music.

Hopefully we’ll soon see the day that big music decides to stop treating their customers as de facto thieves and realizes offering quality goods at fair market prizes is the only real way to stop piracy. Or am I the crazy one?

Article by TheiPhoneBlog.

[This is an official Smartphone Experts Round Robin post! Every day you reply here, you're automatically entered for a chance to win an iPhone 3G, Case-Mate Naked Case, and Motorola H9 Bluetooth Headset! Full contest rules here!]

Another day, yet another chance to win ONE of FIVE shiny new Smartphones! That’s right, TiPb is giving away an iPhone 3G and for yet another chance to win, each and every day you post in our special forum thread, you get entered for another chance to win! So what are you waiting for? Go help AndroidCentral’s Casey Chan learn to re-love his iPhone!

(Psst- Our sibling sites are also giving away a Blackberry Bold, Android G1, Treo Pro, and HTC FUZE, so head on over to each and every Smartphone Experts Round Robin thread you can find!)

Article by TheiPhoneBlog.